Polarizable Material from a Conjunctival Biopsy in a Patient with Sarcoidosis.

PURPOSE: Conjunctival biopsies may contain polarizable material in patients with sarcoidosis despite no history of prior trauma or eye surgeries.

PROCEDURES: A 39-year-old male with uveitic glaucoma presented with decreased vision and throbbing pain in his right eye. His intraocular pressure was elevated, and his vision was reduced to hand motion. Due to persistently elevated intraocular pressure refractory to medical treatment, the patient underwent a glaucoma drainage device procedure. During the procedure, a yellow, nodular conjunctival growth was noted and biopsied.

RESULTS: Histopathological examination revealed multiple nonnecrotizing granulomata, some of which contained polarizable material.

CONCLUSIONS: Biopsies of patients with sarcoidosis may contain polarizable material without evidence of foreign body inoculation.