Lattice dystrophy and corneal ulceration

Microbial keratitis in lattice corneal dystrophy: microsporidia as a new cause

A patient in his sixth decade presented to us with redness, pain and a deterioration of vision in his left eye. He had previously been diagnosed with lattice corneal dystrophy (LCD). He was diagnosed with microbial keratitis, and mixed infection was confirmed on culture (bacteria and fungus) with a protracted healing period before resolution of keratitis. He presented 2 years later with similar issues in the same eye and was noted to have a second episode of microbial keratitis, with microsporidia spores noted on gram, potassium hydroxide and calcofluor white stains. He was diagnosed with microsporidial stromal keratitis and underwent therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty. Unfortunately, he suffered a recurrence of microsporidial keratitis following surgery with eventual transplant failure. Microsporidia as an infection in LCD has, to our knowledge, not been previously reported. We aim to discuss microsporidial infection and recurrent microbial keratitis in the setting of LCD.

Contact lens induced bacterial keratitis in LCD II: Management and multimodal imaging: a case report and review of literature

PURPOSE

To describe the management and multimodal imaging of lattice corneal dystrophy type II (LCD-II) complicated by an infectious keratitis due to a bandage contact lens and to review current literature.

OBSERVATION

A 50-year-old female was diagnosed with Meretoja's Syndrome by the triad of facial palsy, loose skin (cutix laxa), and stromal corneal dystrophy. At slit lamp, bilateral lattice corneal dystrophy (LCD) was characterized by multiple linear refractile lines and subepithelial fibrosis along with Neurotrophic keratitis Mackie grade I. Findings of anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) were epithelial irregularity, subepithelial fibrosis, hyperreflectivity on anterior stromal layer, lobulated stromal surface. In vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) showed hyperreflected deposits on the basal and Bowman layers, visible keratocytes; fine lines and streaks between corneal lamella. The sub-basal nerve plexus and the stromal nerves were no longer visible. She presented in emergency with a left red eye. A severe bacterial keratitis was diagnosed as a complication of a bandage contact lens used to treat recurrent epithelial erosion. Corneal anesthesia was complete. Corneal neovascularization was evident 10 weeks later and topical bevacizumab (5 mg/ml) was introduced twice daily. Partial regression of deep stromal vessels was noticed at 3 months.

CONCLUSION

In Meretoja's syndrome, neurotrophic keratopathy secondary to polyneuropathy due to systemic amyloid deposits is present in the advanced stages, promotes recurrent corneal erosions. Corneal sensitivity test, AS-OCT and IVCM are crucial in the diagnosis behind any recurrent corneal erosion. The use of bandage contact lens should be avoided in Meretoja's syndrome to prevent a possible infectious keratitis.

Infective keratitis in Indian patients with corneal dystrophies

All eight patients seen with various types of corneal dystrophy, a rare hereditary corneal disease, presented with infective keratitis. Unilateral microbial invasion was seen in all patients and the visual acuity of the affected eyes was <6/60 at presentation. We highlight our impression that microbial invasion can occur with all types of epithelial and stromal corneal dystrophy, including macular corneal dystrophy. Regular follow-up to maintain a healthy ocular surface is recommended to avert blindness in such patients.

Fungal keratitis in lattice dystrophy

We report a case of fungal keratitis occurring in a patient with lattice dystrophy. A 57-year-old farmer presented with a corneal ulcer following probable entry of paddy husk in the right eye, of one month duration. Corneal scraping revealed pigmented fungal filaments while culture grew Alternaria alternata. Treatment with 5% natamycin eye drops and 1% atropine healed the infection in four weeks. We would like to draw attention to the fact that the cornea in lattice dystrophy is prone to frequent erosions and is a compromised epithelial barrier to invasion by microorganisms. Patients must be made aware of this fact and should seek attention at the earliest following any trivial trauma. Management of minor corneal abrasions in them should be directed at healing the epithelium with adequate lubricants and preventing infection with topical antibiotic prophylaxis.