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Peripheral ulcerative keratitis in sarcoidosis: a case report.
Donna Siracuse-Lee1, Norman Saffra
1Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA. desiracuse@hotmail.com
Cornea
|June 20, 2006
Summary
This case report details peripheral ulcerative keratitis (PUK) progressing to corneal perforation in a patient with newly diagnosed sarcoidosis. Treatment with immunosuppressants stabilized the ocular condition.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Rheumatology
- Immunology
Background:
- Peripheral ulcerative keratitis (PUK) is an inflammatory condition affecting the cornea.
- Sarcoidosis is a multisystem inflammatory disease of unknown cause.
Observation:
- A 42-year-old woman with recently diagnosed sarcoidosis presented with PUK and corneal perforation.
- Clinical examination revealed bilateral peripheral corneal thinning and vascularized scarring.
Findings:
- The patient underwent lamellar keratoplasty followed by penetrating keratoplasty.
- Treatment included oral prednisone, high-dose cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan), and topical cyclosporine.
- Histopathological and serological tests confirmed sarcoidosis and ruled out other vasculitic diseases.
Implications:
- This is the first reported case of PUK associated with sarcoidosis.
- Aggressive immunosuppressive therapy can effectively manage this sight-threatening condition.