Electrocoagulative surgical procedure for treatment of conjunctivochalasis

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to present a new procedure to treat symptomatic conjunctivochalasis (CCh) and to evaluate its efficacy. Forty-two patients with symptomatic CCh refractory to medical management were included on this study. Twenty-two patients (n = 32, eyes; n = 14 women and n = 8 men) underwent the new electrocoagulation procedure (Group I). Twenty patients (n = 27 eyes; n = 11 women and n = 9 men) underwent crescent-shaped conjunctiva resection (Group II). Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) was used to evaluate ocular symptoms. There was a significant difference in mean and SD operation time between Group I (8.67 ± 2.07 minutes) and Group II (20.45 ± 3.98 minutes; P < 0.0001). OSDI scores (mean ± SD) were significantly lower in Group I (28.38 ± 3.14) than Group II (31.62 ± 3.17) at postoperative week 2 (P = 0.0004). No differences in OSDI scores were found between the 2 groups at postoperative week 4 (P = 0.1749) or 8 (P = 0.1483). OSDI scores were significantly lower at postoperative week 8 than at baseline in both Group I (P = 0.0002) and Group II (P = 0.0011). Electrocoagulation of the conjunctiva can successfully treat symptomatic CCh with earlier symptomatic attenuation and less operation time than traditional conjunctiva resection.