Atypical pneumococcal scleritis after pterygium excision: case report and literature review

Abstract

Purpose: To describe an unusual case of pneumococcal scleritis after pterygium excision and to review the literature on infectious scleritis associated with pterygium excision.

Methods: Case report and literature review.

Results: A 58-year-old white man underwent excision of a nasal pterygium of the right eye. Two weeks postoperatively, the patient developed an infectious scleritis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. The scleritis was complicated with hypopyon and a scleral necrosis area 6 mm away from the superior limbus with a positive Seidel test. Topical and systemic antibiotics resolved the case without any surgical procedures.

Conclusion: Streptococcus pneumoniae must be considered as a possible agent in cases of necrotizing scleritis associated with pterygium excision.