The diagnosis of sarcoidosis by conjunctival biopsy.

A prospective study of 21 patients with presumed sarcoidosis was performed to determine the value of conjunctival biopsy in diagnosing the disease. Conjunctival lesions were seen in 15 patients on slit-lamp examination, with eight of these showing noncaseating granulomas on biopsy. The abnormalities were seen by the unaided eye in only two cases. All eight biopsies showing noncaseating granulomas occured in the 14 black patients. No clinical, biochemical, or radiographic characteristics identified those patients who would prove to have a biopsy showing such granulomas. This simple, frequently productive procedure may be helpful in the diagnosis of sarcoidosis.