To evaluate the efficacy and safety of resection and
cryotherapy combined with amniotic membrane
transplantation (AMT) for the treatment of
vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) with giant papillae (GP). Eight patients (16 eyes involved) with VKC, characterized by GP on the upper tarsal conjunctiva, underwent resection and
cryotherapy in combination with AMT. The follow-up lasted for 3-22 months. The results showed that corneal shield
ulcers and superficial punctuate
keratitis healed during the first week after surgery and did not recur. Fourteen eyes (87.5 %) were symptom-free 1 month after surgery, and no GP,
ectropion,
trichiasis and other complications were noted, but the blood vessels of upper tarsal conjunctiva could not be clearly seen and a little conjunctival
scar was observed. Recurrence of GP was observed in 2 eyes (12.5 %), with the area being less and irritation milder as compared with those before the operation. Among the two eyes, one eye was treated by
cyclosporine eyedrops with improvement, but the other eye showed no improvement after the treatment, and underwent a second surgery with a cotton patch soaked in
fluorouracil applied onto the supratarsal area after resection and
cryotherapy. Four months after the treatment the patient presented no symptoms and GP did not recur. It is concluded that the resection and
cryotherapy combined with AMT is an effective and safe treatment for VKC with GP.