Giant papillary conjunctivitis from an exposed prolene suture.

We document an example of unilateral giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC) following division of a fine-gauge prolene suture employed several months earlier to close a cataract incision. Release of surgically induced astigmatism required relaxation of the suture. The conjunctival response abated with removal of the retained suture fragments. The conjunctival reaction was biopsied and shown to be similar histopathologically to that seen in GPC associated with vernal conjunctivitis and contact lens wear.