The document provides information on the anatomy, physiology, symptomatology, and classification of the conjunctiva. It discusses the three layers of the conjunctiva - palpebral, forniceal, and bulbar. The palpebral conjunctiva covers the inner surface of the eyelids and is firmly attached. The bulbar conjunctiva loosely covers the eyeball except at the limbus. Symptoms include redness, irritation, discharge, and photophobia. Signs include type of discharge, presence of follicles or papillae, pseudomembranes, and lymphadenopathy. Laboratory tests can identify viral and bacterial causes of conjunctivitis.
2. ANATOMY
It is the mucous membrane covering the under
surface of the lids and anterior part of the
eyeball upto the cornea.
3. Parts of conjunctiva
• Palpebral; covering the lids—firmly adherent.
• Forniceal; covering the fornices—loose—thrown
into folds.
• Bulbar; covering the eyeball—loosely attached
except at limbus.
4.
5. Palpebral conjunctiva
• Subtarsal sulcus 2mm from posterior edge of the
lid margin.
• Richly vascular.
• Extremely thin.
• Strongly bound to the tarsal plate.
7. Conjunctival fornices
• Transitional region between palpebral and bulbar
conjunctivae.
• Superior fornix 10 mm from limbus.
• Inferior fornix 8 mm from limbus.
• Lateral fornix 14mm from limbus.
• Medially absent.
• Ducts of lacrimal glands open into lateral part of
superior fornix.
10. Bulbar conjunctiva
• Lies in contact with eyeball.
• Thin, translucent and loosely attached by
connective tissue to sclera and fascia bulbi.
• A 3 mm ridge of bulbar conjunctiva around the
cornea is called limbal conjunctiva.
11. Structure of conjunctiva
• Histologically conjunctiva consists of 3
layers:
• 1) epithelium
• 2)adenoid layer
• 3)fibrous layer
12. Epithelium
• Marginal conjunctiva: 5 layered non
keratinised stratified squamous
• Tarsal conjunctiva: 2 layered in upper lid &
• 3-4 layered in lower lid
• Fornix & bulbar: 3 layered
• Limbal conjunctiva: 8-10 layered
13. Conjunctival Glands
• There are two types of conjunctival glands:
• 1)Mucin secreatory glands
• &
• 2)Accessory lacrimal glands
14. Nerve supply - Sensory
• Bulbar conjunctiva – long ciliary nerves – nasociliary
N. – Ophthalmic division of trigeminal N.
• Superior palpebral and forniceal conjunctiva – frontal
and lacrimal branches of Ophthalmic division of
trigeminal N.
• Inferior palpebral and forniceal conjunctiva – laterally
from lacrimal branches of Ophthalmic division of
trigeminal N. and medially infraorbital N. – Maxillary
division of trigeminal N.
Sympathetic;
• Superior cervical sympathetics to blood vessels.
15. Blood Supply
• Palpebral conjunctiva & fornices are
supplied by branches from the marginal and
peripheral arcades of the eyelids
• while,
• Bulbar conjunctiva is supplied by posterior
& anterior conjunctival arteries
16. Venous drainage:
The veins from conjunctiva drain into the venous
plexus of eyelids which in turn drain into the superior
and inferior ophthalmic veins.
A cicumcorneal zone of limbus drain into the anterior
cilliary veins
17.
18. Lymphatic drainage
• Lymph vessels are
arranged as a superficial
and a deep plexus in sub
mucosa.
• Ultimately as in the lids
to the pre auricular and
sub-mandibular lymph
glands.
19. PHYSIOLOGY
• Smooth surface.
• Secretes mucin and aqueous component of tear
film.
• Highly vascular: supplies nutrition to the
peripheral cornea.
• Aqueous veins drains from anterior chamber
maintenance of IOP.
• Lymphoid tissue helps in combating infections.
• Basic secretion—reflex secretion.
21. SIGNS
• Type of discharge.
• Type of conjunctival reaction.
• Presence of membrane/ pseudomembrane.
• Lymphadenopathy.
22. DISCHARGE
Exudate plus debris plus mucus plus tears.
• Serous; watery exudate in acute viral and acute
allergic conjunctivitis.
• Mucoid; mucus discharge in VKC and KCS (dry
eyes).
• Purulent; puss in severe acute bacterial
conjunctivitis.
• Mucopurulent; puss plus mucus in mild bacterial
conjunctivitis and Chlamydial conjunctivitis.
23. TYPE OF CONJUNCTIVAL
REACTION
• Hyperaemia: (Conjunctival injection)
Bacterial.
• Sub-conjunctival Haemorrhage: Viral.
• Bleeding:
• Chemosis: (Oedema)
• Scarring: Trachoma, cicatricial
pemphigoid, atopic conjunctivitis and
prolong use of topical drops.
• Follicular reaction.
• Papillary reaction.
24. Follicular reaction
• Sub epithelial foci of hyperplastic of
lymphoid tissue with in stroma.
• More prominent in fornices.
• Multiple, discrete, slightly elevated,
lesions encircled by a tiny blood
vessel—small grains of rice.
• Size from 0.5 to 5 mm.
1. Viral.
2. Chlamydial.
3. Parinaud oculoglandular syndrome.
4. Hypersensitivity to topical
medications.
