Herpetic keratouveitis mixed with bilateral Pseudomonas corneal ulcers in vitamin A deficiency

A 56-year-old woman complained of blurred vision and pain in her right eye for several days. Slit lamp examination revealed a large epithelial defect and disciform stromal edema with ring infiltration in her right cornea. Unfortunately, hypopyon and purulent discharge subsequently developed in both...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Hung-Yuan Hsu, I-Lun Tsai, Li-Lin Kuo, Ching-Yao Tsai, Shiow-Wen Liou, Lin-Chung Woung
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2015-02-01
Series:Journal of the Formosan Medical Association
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0929664612001143
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Summary:A 56-year-old woman complained of blurred vision and pain in her right eye for several days. Slit lamp examination revealed a large epithelial defect and disciform stromal edema with ring infiltration in her right cornea. Unfortunately, hypopyon and purulent discharge subsequently developed in both eyes. Herpetic keratouveitis and a superimposed pseudomonas infection were diagnosed. A systemic review on the patient showed malnutrition due to her dietary preference and vegetarianism. After the infection was controlled, bilateral epithelial defects persisted for a long time. We performed amniotic membrane transplantation on both eyes and the clinical status improved with administration of vitamin and protein supplements. Although rare in Taiwan, vitamin A deficiency should be kept in mind when conjunctival and corneal xerosis occurred. Vitamin A supplements are suggested because of the increased susceptibility to infection in patients with this clinical status.
ISSN:0929-6646