Alternative Approach for the Treatment of Conjunctivochalasis: Plasma-Based Conjunctivoplasty.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of plasma-based conjunctivoplasty as a new surgical approach for conjunctivochalasis.

METHODS: This prospective, noncomparative, interventional study included research on 42 eyes of 33 patients who underwent plasma therapy because of conjunctivochalasis between February 2020 and December 2021. Maintaining a 2-mm distance from the limbus, at least 3 lines (approximately 2 mm deep) of plasma therapy were applied to the conjunctiva from the temporal quadrant to the nasal quadrant. Patient symptoms, the fluorescein clearance test, ocular surface integrity with fluorescein staining, the Ocular Surface Disease Index questionnaire, tear breakup time (TBUT), tear meniscus height, and complications were evaluated.

RESULTS: The mean patient age at the time of surgery was 67.3 ± 7.2 (range: 54-81) years. After surgery, the grades of conjunctivochalasis decreased in all patients. Although epiphora was present in 28 eyes (66.6%) preoperatively, none of the cases had epiphora during the follow-up period. The Ocular Surface Disease Index score improved significantly from 34.7 ± 10.3 preoperatively to 5.0 ± 4.2 3 months postoperatively (P <0.001). Although the preoperative TBUT was 5.1 ± 2.2 seconds, the TBUT increased to 10.0 ± 2.3 seconds 3 months postoperatively (P <0.001). Chemosis developed in only 1 eye (2.3%) and completely regressed with topical steroid treatment in the first postoperative week.

CONCLUSIONS: Plasma-based conjunctivoplasty is a minimally invasive and simple surgery with less intraoperative and postoperative discomfort, a fast recovery, and can be suggested as an alternative approach to other treatment methods.