Bilateral, chronic, bacterial conjunctivitis in giant fornix syndrome

Giant fornix syndrome (GFS) results in chronic, relapsing conjunctivitis in elderly patients with enophthalmos and enlarged fornices, in which infectious material collects and perpetuates inflammation. A 98-year-old woman presented with persistent, bilateral, purulent conjunctivitis; corneal epithelial defects and progressive blepharospasm that did not respond to artificial tears, topical antibiotics and steroids and amniotic membrane grafts. Additional findings of deep-set orbits with enlarged upper fornices were diagnostic of GFS. Over the next 2 months, she responded to a combination of topical and systemic antibiotics, autologous serum eye drops, povidone-iodine forniceal rinses, and hypochlorous acid treatment of the eyelashes. GFS is an important diagnostic consideration in elderly patients with chronic conjunctivitis and deep-set orbits.