Fold on my Conjunctiva...

[Lacrima]

Hi, hope you're all well.

I haven't written here in a while. I have generally been in a happy stable state- having stopped restasis, and antibiotics and relying only on compresses, preservative-free drops and omega fish oil.

Today I was looking closely in the mirror to do my make up and noticed something strange on the surface of my right eye. It looked like a little bubble or blister.

A few hours later I decided to check it out again, and actually moved it with my finger. The whole thing just turned into a long wrinkle and it dawned on me that it is loose/excess conjunctiva.

I tried moving the conjunctiva on my other eye and realised it is very moveable. At this point I freaked out, because I didn't realise you can move your conjunctiva. I have no idea if mine are too loose.

I am going to try to make a doctor's appointment for as soon as possible. I am really worried about the wrinkle on the right eye though, and before I get to the doc, I was hoping to hear some comforting/informative words from someone who might know a little about what this might be... I am already worried it might be conjunctivochalasis..

The wrinkle is on the outer corner side of my eye about halfway between my eyelids and doesn't touch the cornea.

[sunshinelover]

May be a pinguecula? It could also be normal changes from aging.

[Lacrima]

Thanks for your reply sunshinelover. I was hoping that's what it is.. I will make sure I come back to update.

I'm trying not to worry and just hold out til I find a doc (moving out of state tomorrow) but it's hard. I am sure everyone here can relate to that feeling :/

I read pinguecula is more common in people who are 50-60 but can affect all ages. I'm 29...

[Spoon]

Hi Lacrima. I have experienced a similar thing - quite a few times I have seen temporary folds or blister like creases in my conjunctiva after a warm compress. However these have always resolved less than a day after they appeared from the warm compress. I suspect that you have been using too much pressure on your warm compresses (heat may also be a factor). See what your doctor says but I would guess it will resolve without treatment. It really doesn't sound like a pinguecula which would be fixed - you might be able to move it with the membrane but you wouldn't be able to manipulate its shape. Also pinguecula don't have a shape that would give the appearance of a 'long wrinkle'.

The conjunctiva is loosely connected to the sclera and it is completely normal for it to be able to move to some degree. The conjunctiva covering the sclera is only properly attached at the margins.

From this document http://www.optometry.co.uk/uploads/a...eath-10206.pdf .....

Conjunctiva anatomy: ''Whilst the palpebral component is firmly adhered to the tarsal plate, the tarsal conjunctiva is rather loose in comparison. The bulbar conjunctiva envelopes the anterior sclera. Although it is tightly bound to the underlying tenon’s capsule at the limbus, its attachement to the structure elsewhere are looser.''

[Lacrima]

Hi Spoon,

Thanks so much, I really appreciate your reply and the link you provided.

It's a relief to know the palpebral area of the conjunctiva is meant to be slightly loose.

Since reading your message I decided to stop hot compresses until my doc appointment. I have been applying a lot more heat than usual and you might be right about this causing/contributing to the fold.

My appointment's on Friday so I will come back and update.

[Spoon]

No worries, all the best for the appointment. Just for the record it is the bulbar conjunctiva that is relatively loose - the part that sits over the sclera or the white part of the eye. The palpebral conjunctiva which is the inner eyelid part is 'firmly adhered'. I see the article has a mistake though referring to the bulbar conjunctiva as the tarsal conjunctiva - tarsal conjunctiva would be the same as palpebral conjunctiva.

[Lacrima]

I had my appointment and the update is that I have conjunctivochalasis..

I was upset about this new diagnosis but am doing my best to just wait and see how it progresses by my next appointment before letting myself get too worried. I hear that many people who have it cope very well and keep things under control.

It's in the very early mild stage and not a concern at the moment since it's not causing me discomfort. The doctor advised me to keep up with my current treatment (preservative-free eye drops, hot compresses). He didn't feel that my hot compress temperature or technique affected things. But after reading Spoon's message above, I have since taken care to be more gentle on my eyes with heat and pressure.

Though some of my MGs are blocked and I had a low schirmer score (2, 7) he didn't think I needed to go back on Doxycycline.

Interestingly, he advised me to wear my soft contacts more, since they act as a barrier preventing friction between the eyelid and eyeball.

If anyone's interested I have been successfully wearing Wetlens One Day for several months. They are distributed by Safigel.