Introduction

The aberrant overgrowth of conjunctiva is a rare condition in rabbits. The conjunctiva plica gradually extends and occasionally covers the central cornea.

When surgical resection of overgrown conjunctiva is performed, the condition often recurs easily.

Therefore, some methods of fixing the overgrown conjunctiva to the sclera have been reported. Then topical corticoid or cyclosporine is used after surgical fixation. On the other hand, our method is very simple and has rare recurrence.

Objectives

We hypothesized that abnormal repair function caused the aberrant overgrowth of conjunctiva by inflammatory stimulation. The blocking and suppression for this phenomenon was applied to 2 rabbits.

Methods

1.  Lidocaine solution was administered to the ocular surface as a surface anesthesia.

2.  Some incisions were made to flap-like elongated conjunctiva. They were performed radially from the margin of the flap-like conjunctiva to the corneal limbus. Then the elongated conjunctiva was pulled back, close to the corneal limbus, depending on the force that the flap attempts to contract.

3.  After the treatment, prednisolone and antibiotics were administered to control the inflammation and prevent infection.

Results

Case 1

One small incision and medication were performed to the conjunctiva on day 5 of the disease. The rabbit recovered almost normally on day 12 of the disease.

Case 2

Two small incisions and medication were performed. There is no recurrence after 2 months.

Conclusions

After this treatment, a slight residual conjunctival overgrowth was observed, but no recurrence was noted. This treatment can be done with a simple technique, and general anesthesia is not necessary. It is considered to be a valuable method to be done first.