[Ocular manifestation of progressive essential telangiectases]

Generalized essential telangiectasia is a rare skin disorder characterized by the development of dilated venules beginning at the lower extremities and progressively spreading out to the rest of the body. It is not related to any known affection and is therefore considered to be essential. The condition tends to affect mostly women in their midthirties. We report the case of a 49-year-old healthy man worried by the progressive extension of dilated vessels on the conjunctivae of both eyes and the progressive worsening at the condition over the last five years. On clinical examination he presented also telangiectasies on both arms and legs which had also grown worse over the last five years. All further investigations and complementary examinations showed no disease. A cutaneous biopsy showed dilated venules in the superior dermis supporting the diagnosis of telangiectases. Several differential diagnoses are discussed. With confirmation of the clinical diagnosis we started treatment with oral tetracycline. Because of the poor response we stopped treatment after a period of three months.