Eosinophil granule major basic protein in contact lenses of patients with giant papillary conjunctivitis.

Conjunctival reaction to substances deposited on soft contact lenses is thought to be important in the development of contact lens-associated giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC). Eosinophil granule major basic protein (MBP), a potent cytotoxin released by eosinophils, has previously been demonstrated in conjunctiva from patients with GPC. We therefore evaluated soft contact lenses from ten patients with GPC for the presence of MBP by means of an indirect immunofluorescence assay. Deposition of MBP was demonstrated in lenses from one patient, the only subject with a history of atopy. The results suggest that MBP deposits on nonionic, low water content lenses are unlikely to play a role in the development of GPC, except, perhaps, in patients with atopy.