Impression cytology features of conjunctival nevi reported as more noticeable

purpose: to report the impression cytology features of conjunctival nevi reported as more noticeable. methods: 35 patients who reported that a conjunctival lesion had become more noticeable after color or size change were enrolled. on slit-lamp examination, a clinical diagnosis of nevus was made and lesions underwent impression cytology using acetate cellulose strips and a combined staining with pas, h&e and papanicolaou. at patient's or parents' request, excision of the lesion was performed and the tissue was submitted to histopathological study. results: impression cytology examination revealed nests or cluster of nevus cells within the epithelium layer containing or not mucous-secreting goblet cells in 32 cases (91.4%). ten patients (28.5%) had the tumor removed and histopathological diagnosis was compound nevus in 8 eyes (1 from caruncle, 1 from plica semilunaris and 6 from bulbar conjunctiva) and subepithelial nevus from bulbar conjunctiva (2 eyes). conclusion: optical microscopy analysis of the impression cytology specimens confirmed the clinical diagnosis by demonstrating typical histopathological features of the superficial layers from conjunctival nevi in 91.4% of the cases. for amelanotic nevi ic can also allow a differential diagnosis from other nonpigmented lesions. the technique does not replace histopathological examination, but additionally, may assist in evaluating nevus cells in children and adults.