Purpose: To report the effect of topical alpha-interferon (alpha-IF) in two cases of recurrent conjunctival papillomas.
Methods: One patient with a conjunctival papilloma and one patient with a limbus-based papilloma were treated with excision and cryotherapy. Recurrences included one in situ carcinoma. Retreatment included systemic and topical alpha-IF.
Results: In Case 1, the papillomas regressed with systemic alpha-IF followed by topical application of alpha-IF (2.8 x 106 U) for 1 year against recurrence. In Case 2, the papillomas disappeared with topical alpha-IF over 1 year. No recurrences were seen during follow-up (84 and 91 months, respectively). The possible side effect of topical alpha-IF was superficial keratitis. Retrospective polymerase chain reaction tests for HPV were positive and showed type 6 in Case 1 and type 33 in Case 2.
Conclusion: Topical alpha-IF can be used as adjuvant therapy in recurrent conjunctival papillomas.