Peripheral ulcerative keratitis after trabeculectomy in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis.

PURPOSE: To report the unusual occurrence of peripheral ulcerative keratitis, 10 days after trabeculectomy in a 35-year-old patient with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODS: Observational case report.

RESULTS: A 35-year-old patient with RA and secondary Sjögren disease underwent an uneventful fornix-based trabeculectomy. Ten days after surgery, slit-lamp examination revealed a peripheral corneal ulcer extending from 5- to 7-o'clock positions with a surrounding inflammatory infiltrate and adjacent conjunctival injection. The ulcer was treated with systemic and topical steroids, antibiotic eyedrops, artificial tears, and a bandage soft contact lens. Since then, corneal re-epithelialization started and the patient's symptoms subsided. The ulcer improved steadily within 2 months while the patient used a soft contact lens. The ulcer did not reoccur in the 18 months follow-up while the patient remained under systemic treatment.

CONCLUSION: This report highlights the importance of careful examination and close postoperative follow-up in patients with RA undergoing any intraocular surgery, to diagnose a possible development of peripheral ulcerative keratitis. Although the incidence is rare, prompt diagnosis of the peripheral ulceration is essential because if untreated it may seriously affect patient's vision.