Acute corneal melting one week after an uncomplicated cataract surgery in a patient who previously underwent eyelid radiation and with undiagnosed rheumatoid arthritis: a case report

ABSTRACT This is a rare case report of acute, paracentral corneal melting and perforation occurring 1 week after an uneventful cataract surgery, with discussions on possible pathogenetic mechanisms. Relevant literature was also reviewed. Herein, a case of an 86-year-old woman with acute, paracentral, and sterile corneal melting and perforation in her left eye at 1 week after an uncomplicated cataract extraction is described. This occurs at the base of ocular surface disorders due to previous radiation of her lower eyelid and cheeks for the treatment of cancer and previously undiagnosed rheumatoid arthritis. She underwent surgical treatment using Gundersen ’ s conjunctival flap for the existing perforation due to low visual expectancies and reluctance to undergo corneal keratoplasty due to the risk of corneal graft rejection. The risk of coming across an acute corneal melting after an uncomplicated cataract surgery in the eyes with ocular surface disorders should always be considered.RESUMO É apresentado um caso raro de ceratomalácia paracentral aguda estéril e perfuração da córnea em uma paciente de 86 anos, uma semana após cirurgia para catarata sem intercorrências. Também são discutidos possíveis mecanismos de patogênese e a literatura relevante é revisada. Esses distú rbios da superfície ocular ocorreram devido à irradiação da pálpebra inferior e da bochecha em um tratamento de câncer e a uma artrite reumatoide não diagnosticada anteriormente. A paci...
Source: Arquivos Brasileiros de Oftalmologia - Category: Opthalmology Source Type: research