Ocular Cicatricial Pemphigoid is associated with which type of hypersensitivity reaction?

• A. Type 1
• B. Type 3
• C. Type 2
• D. Type 4

Answer: (C)

Ocular cicatricial pemphigoid is driven by antibodies that target components of the basement membrane zone in the conjunctiva. These autoantibodies bind to the surface of epithelial cells, activate complement, and recruit inflammatory cells, leading to separation at the dermal-epidermal junction and the formation of subepithelial blisters. This antibody-mediated, tissue-damaging process is the hallmark of Type II hypersensitivity. Over time, the repeated injury and healing in the conjunctiva cause scarring and cicatrization. In contrast, Type I is IgE-mediated allergy, Type III involves immune complex deposition, and Type IV is T-cell–mediated delayed hypersensitivity, which do not describe the mechanism here.