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Lyme disease associated with unilateral interstitial keratitis
M J Miyashiro1, R W Yee, G Patel
1Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, 77030, USA.
Cornea
|January 23, 1999
Summary
This case report details a rare instance of Lyme disease presenting as unilateral interstitial keratitis, challenging the typical bilateral presentation. It highlights an unusual ocular manifestation of Lyme disease.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Infectious Diseases
- Medical Case Reports
Background:
- Lyme disease, a tick-borne illness, can manifest with various ocular complications.
- Interstitial keratitis is a known ocular manifestation of Lyme disease, though typically bilateral.
Observation:
- A 57-year-old man with a history of deer exposure presented with unilateral interstitial keratitis in his right eye.
- Initial diagnosis was herpes simplex stromal keratitis, but systemic workup was initiated.
- Laboratory results were negative except for an elevated Lyme antibody titer (ELISA).
Findings:
- The patient's presentation of single nummular unilateral interstitial keratitis is an infrequent ocular manifestation of Lyme disease.
- This case contrasts with the commonly reported bilateral presentation in medical literature.
Implications:
- This case expands the understanding of Lyme disease's diverse ocular presentations.
- Clinicians should consider Lyme disease in the differential diagnosis of unilateral interstitial keratitis, even without typical epidemiological risk factors.
- Further research may be warranted to explore the mechanisms behind unilateral ocular involvement in Lyme disease.