Phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation in a patient with Mooren's ulcer

A 61-year-old man with progressive, bilateral Mooren's ulcer had subjective symptoms of pain, discomfort, and blurred vision. Biomicroscopic examination showed 360 degrees of peripheral ulceration of the cornea. There were 1+ cells in the anterior chamber, and nuclear sclerosis of the lens was present. He was treated with topical and systemic steroids, perilimbal conjunctival resection, and systemic cyclophosphamide therapy. After the complete control of inflammation, the patient remained in remission for 14 months. When a cataract developed in the right eye, reducing the visual acuity to light perception, the authors performed a scleral tunnel incision and phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation. After 18 months of postoperative follow-up, the vision improved to 20/30, and the eye was stable. Phacoemulsification and scleral tunnel incision with intraocular lens implantation can be successfully performed after the complete control of inflammation with medical therapy.