Light and electron microscopical study of the conjunctiva in sicca syndrome.

Conjunctival biopsies of 11 patients with sicca syndrome were studied under light and transmission electron microscopy. The notable findings were vasculitis of the conjunctival vessels. There were severe changes in the microvilli, namely a loss of microvilli and decrease in their height, measuring approximately 1,000-2,000 A, in comparison with microvilli of the control conjunctiva, measuring 4,000 A in height. There was no branching yet or fusion of microvilli.