A Case of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Keratitis.

Ha, Hyo Shin; Kim, Jae Chan

Case Report

Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society 2004;45(2):324-327.
Published online February 1, 2004.

A Case of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Keratitis.

Hyo Shin Ha, Jae Chan Kim

Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, Korea. jck50ey@kornet.net

Mycobacterium Tuberculosis에 의한 각막염 1예

하효신 ( Ha Hyo Sin ) , 김재찬 ( Kim Jae Chan )

Abstract

PURPOSE
Mycobacterium tuberculosis usually affects the lungs, although it may involve various segments of the eye and cause severe visual loss if not treated properly. We report the case of Mycobacterium tuberculosis keratitis treated successfully with antituberculous medication and amniotic membrane transplantation. METHODS: A 48-year-old male patient diagnosed as cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis about 20 years ago was referred from other hospital. He complained about painless corneal opacity on right eye. And other systemic evaluation other than cervical lymphadenitis was not remarkable. On biomicrosopy, peripheral multiple corneal opacity and neovascularization were observed. Fortified tobramycin eyedrops and oral antituberculous medication were used preoperatively. Under local anesthesia, the lesion was removed, and lamellar keratoplasty with lyophilized cornea and amniotic membrane transplantation was performed. Amikacin eyedrops was used postoperatively. RESULTS: From postoperative day 15, corneal opacity was decreased gradually. CONCLUSIONS: Mycobacterium tuberculosis should be considered as one of the causes of keratitis manifesting painless corneal opacity concomitant with cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis. Proper examination and management are necessary.

Key Words: Amniotic membrane transplantation;Interstitial keratitis;Mycobacterium tuberculosis keratitis