1/550. Peripheral ulcerative keratitis--an extracutaneous neutrophilic disorder: report of a patient with rheumatoid arthritis, pustular vasculitis, pyoderma gangrenosum, and Sweet's syndrome with an excellent response to cyclosporine therapy. The term peripheral ulcerative keratitis represents a spectrum of inflammatory diseases, characterized by cellular infiltration, corneal thinning, and ulceration. Neutrophilic dermatoses are rarely associated with peripheral ulcerative keratitis. To date, peripheral ulcerative keratitis has only been reported in patients with pyoderma gangrenosum. Separate episodes of pyoderma gangrenosum, Sweet's syndrome, and pustular vasculitis developed in a 60-year-old patient with rheumatoid arthritis over an 8-year period. Over the past 2 years, 3 episodes of peripheral ulcerative keratitis occurred. cyclosporine (4 mg/kg/d) treatment was started on confirmation of pyoderma gangrenosum. Over the ensuing 2 years, it became evident that the activity of her ocular and skin diseases, as well as her arthritis, paralleled the administration or cessation of cyclosporine therapy. Dermatologists should be aware of the association of Sweet's syndrome, pyoderma gangrenosum, and pustular vasculitis with peripheral ulcerative keratitis. This rare ocular manifestation and the serious sequelae when left untreated make recognition crucial. cyclosporine proved to be a very effective treatment for all of our patient's diseases. ( info) |
| PURPOSE: To report a patient with vernal keratoconjunctivitis who developed mycotic keratitis in absence of known risk factors. methods: A 17-year-old male suffering from vernal keratoconjunctivitis presented with infective keratitis. The patient had been treated in the past with topical antihistaminics and vasoconstrictors. The patient had not been exposed to topical steroids in 2 years of follow-up. He did not have dry eye or corneal micro or macroerosions prior to the development of infective keratitis. Corneal scrapings were obtained and subjected to KOH wet mount smear, calcofluor and Grams stain as well as bacterial culture sensitivity and fungal culture. RESULTS: Clinical diagnosis of mycotic keratitis in association with vernal conjunctivitis was supported by microbiological investigations. KOH wet mount and calcofluor staining showed presence of filamentous septate hyphae while fungal culture showed growth of aspergillus fumigatus. Antifungal therapy was initiated in the form of topical natamycin 5% suspension to which the patient responded and recovered 6/6 final visual acuity. CONCLUSION: The authors wish to conclude that patients suffering from vernal keratoconjunctivitis, even in the absence of corneal involvement, steroid exposure and trauma, may be at increased risk of developing keratomycosis. ( info) |
3/550. Cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive augmented tenoplasty: a new surgical procedure for bilateral severe chemical eye burns. PURPOSE: To report on cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive augmented tenoplasty, a new surgical procedure for bilateral severe chemical eye injuries. methods: A 26-year-old man presented with bilateral severe (grade IV) chemical burns involving the eye, periorbital tissues, face, and neck. Despite adequate medical therapy, corneal, limbal, and scleral ulceration progressed in both eyes. Secondary pseudomonas keratitis necessitated therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty in the right eye. Tenoplasty and glued-on rigid gas permeable contact lens were unsuccessful to arrest progression of corneolimboscleral ulceration in the left eye. We applied n-butyl cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive directly on the ulcerating corneal, limbal, and scleral surface to augment tenoplasty. RESULTS: The left ocular surface healed with resultant massive fibrous tissue proliferation and symblepharon on the nasal side. Ocular surface rehabilitation resulted in a vascularized leukomatous corneal opacity with upper temporal clear cornea. The patient achieved visual acuity of 6/36 in the left eye. CONCLUSION: We suggest that cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive-augmented tenoplasty can be undertaken to preserve ocular integrity and retain visual potential in a severe chemical eye injury. ( info) |
4/550. Bilateral pseudomonas corneal ulcer in a disposable contact lens wearer. PURPOSE: To describe a case of bilateral corneal ulcers caused by pseudomonas in a disposable soft contact lens wearer. This case study discusses the role of patient examination, contact lens care instruction, and adequate patient supervision in reducing the risk of serious potential complications. methods AND RESULTS: A 17 year old student who had been using disposable soft contact lenses on an extended wear basis for 6 months presented complaining of pain in the left eye. When he was examined, a corneal ulcer with surrounding infiltrate was observed in the superior middle periphery of the left eye. Samples were collected for culture, and treatment with fortified cefalotin and gentamicin was started. After 8 hours the patient returned, now complaining of pain in the right eye. Examination of the right eye revealed a diffused keratitis with a mucopurulent discharge. A culture was taken, and the same treatment was instituted. The laboratory tests revealed pseudomonas in both eyes. The bilateral corneal ulcers responded to therapy after 1 week of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: We discuss the factors involved in the occurrence of infectious keratitis in contact lens wearers, and stress that even disposable contact lens wear can be associated with serious complications. This case also highlights extended wear as one of the main risk factors for complications in disposable soft contact lens wear. ( info) |
5/550. Culture-negative ulcerative keratitis after laser in situ keratomileusis. A 40-year old man, highly myopic in both eyes, had laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) in the left eye in November 1996. Corneal melting and ulceration and fine striae-like interface infiltrates were noticed 1 day postoperatively. There was no response to intensive topical antibiotics in the form of hourly ofloxacin 3% (Tarivid), and satellite lesions developed on day 4. Corneal scrapings for gram stain and culture were done twice. No bacterial or fungal organisms were identified. Intensive topical fortified vancomycin (50 mg/mL) was added, and the lesions resolved gradually over the ensuing 2 weeks. Eighteen months after LASIK, refraction was -1.50 - 0.75 x 105 in the left eye, and uncorrected visual acuity was 20/70, correctable to 20/25 with spectacles. ( info) |
6/550. Crack eye syndrome. BACKGROUND: Cocaine is an alkaloid prepared from the leaves of the Erythroxylon coca plant. It is widely recognized as one of the most dangerous illicit drugs in use today. The U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental health services administration estimates that 23.5 million Americans have used cocaine at some time in their life. Corneal defects from crack cocaine were first described in 1989 and later named crack eye syndrome in 1993. CASE REPORT: A 40-year-old man reported to the eye clinic reporting vigorous eye rubbing after repeated exposure to and use of crack cocaine. A corneal infiltrate with an overlying epithelial defect developed and the man was treated with ciprofloxacin, homatropine, and diclofenac. This case presents background information concerning the systemic and ocular manifestations of cocaine, as well as the clinical presentations of crack eye syndrome, with recommendations on treatment. CONCLUSIONS: A thorough social history should be elicited when patients who have unilateral or bilateral corneal defects of unknown origin are examined, or when treating persons with no other known risk factors for corneal disruption. Prompt recognition and treatment are the main factors in successful management of crack eye syndrome. ( info) |
7/550. Fungal corneal ulcers of onion harvesters in southern taiwan. Fungal corneal ulcers related to agriculture has been reported throughout the world, especially in tropical areas. Most of them were sporadic and had histories of ocular trauma or use of topical corticosteroids and topical antibiotics. Five onion harvesters had fungal corneal ulcers during the same harvest period in Southern taiwan. The authors think that this is the first report of a group occurrence relating to agricultural workers. Although all of the patients improved after medical and surgical management, their vision was greatly decreased. It is suggested that the tropical climate, the harvest procedure, the characteristic monsoon, and lack of eye protection were involved. Therefore, the importance of the eye protection, hygiene education, and improving medical care to reduce the occurrence of fungal corneal ulcer in agriculture workers must be emphasised. ( info) |
8/550. An unreported side effect of topical clarithromycin when used successfully to treat mycobacterium avium-intracellulare keratitis. PURPOSE: To report a case of mycobacterium avium-intracellulare (MAI) keratitis successfully treated with topical clarithromycin. An unreported side effect of the topical medication is described. methods: A regular follow-up in the corneal clinic was arranged, and a pertinent literature search performed. RESULTS: The use of topical clarithromycin was successful in treating the keratitis. The patient did not complain of any ocular discomfort. Corneal subepithelial deposits that appeared during treatment with clarithromycin resolved shortly after the therapy was discontinued. CONCLUSION: This case report demonstrates that a rare infection like MAI keratitis can be successfully treated with topical clarithromycin. It also highlights the possible corneal deposition of this drug, which resolved after cessation of therapy. ( info) |
9/550. The treatment of pseudomonas keratoscleritis after pterygium excision. PURPOSE: To assess the effect of intensive topical and intravenous antibiotics plus oral prednisolone and surgical debridement in pseudomonas keratoscleritis after pterygium excision. methods: We describe three cases of P. aeruginosa-induced keratoscleritis occurring 10 days to 18 months after uncomplicated pterygium excision. Treatment included early conjunctival debridement, topical and intravenous antibiotics, and low-dosage oral prednisolone. RESULTS: All three patients responded to the combined therapy. Microorganisms were eliminated, and ulcers were healed within 8 weeks. Treatment was not extended beyond that, and infection did not recur. No evisceration was required. The patients' best corrected visual acuities are 20/200, 20/400, and 20/120, respectively. CONCLUSION: early diagnosis and prompt, intensive medical and surgical treatment may save a patient's vision and forestall evisceration. ( info) |
10/550. chrysosporium parvum keratomycosis. PURPOSE: To report a case of corneal infection with chrysosporium parvum, a filamentous fungus usually associated with pulmonary infections. methods: A 43-year-old Saudi man had a corneal stromal infiltrate and perforation of his left eye. He was treated with a therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty and topical and systemic antifungal therapy. Corneal scrapings, microbiologic evaluation, and histopathologic examination of the surgical specimen were performed to establish the diagnosis. After the development of recurrent stromal keratitis at the graft-host junction, similar diagnostic and therapeutic maneuvers were performed. RESULTS: Corneal scrapings and histopathologic examination were positive for numerous septate hyphae with endospores, consistent with a diagnosis of filamentous keratomycosis. Microbiologic isolation confirmed the diagnosis of chrysosporium parvum. Similar diagnostic maneuvers for recurrent keratitis produced identical results. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first case of chrysosporium parvum keratomycosis. ( info) |