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Bilateral deep keratitis caused by systemic lupus erythematosus.
Consuelo B D Adan1, Virgínia F M Trevisani, Mônica Vasconcellos
1Department of Ophthalmology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Cornea
|April 13, 2004
Summary
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can cause rare eye inflammation called bilateral stromal keratitis. Deposits with polyrefringent crystals were found in the cornea, leading to opacity despite corticosteroid treatment.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Rheumatology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Bilateral stromal keratitis is a rare ocular manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
- Understanding the specific corneal changes in SLE-related keratitis is crucial for diagnosis and management.
Observation:
- Optical, ultrasonic biomicroscopy, and confocal microscopy were used to examine patients with SLE-related keratitis.
- Examination revealed deposits characterized by polyrefringent crystals within the corneal stroma.
Findings:
- Ultrasound biomicroscopy confirmed deep corneal opacities.
- Confocal microscopy demonstrated disruption of the corneal stroma and the presence of crystal-like bodies.
- Topical corticosteroid treatment led to regression of corneal edema but an increase in corneal opacity.
Implications:
- These findings highlight the characteristic histopathological changes in SLE-related keratitis.
- Advanced imaging techniques are valuable for diagnosing and characterizing this rare ocular condition.
- The paradoxical increase in opacity despite edema reduction suggests complex inflammatory processes in the cornea.