Synthetic fiber granuloma. 'Teddy bear' granuloma of the conjunctiva
A. P. Ferry
Department of Ophthalmology, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond.
Conjunctival synthetic fiber ("teddy bear") granulomas result from a
granulomatous response to synthetic fabric fibers introduced into the
conjunctival sac. There is a striking propensity for these lesions to
develop in the pediatric age group, to be unilateral, and to be situated in
the inferior conjunctival fornix. It is believed that proximity of the eye
to comforting blankets, fabric toys, or forcibly applied pullover sweaters
may provide the opportunity for ocular inoculation. Described below is the
case of a 6-year-old girl who had a conjunctival synthetic fiber granuloma
that exhibited the characteristic clinical and pathologic features of these
lesions.
