Subconjunctival urate crystals: a case report

Abstract

Purpose: To report a case of localized subconjunctival urate crystals in a patient with gout.

Design: Single observational case report.

Methods: Case report.

Results: An 80-year-old woman who came for cataract surgery was incidentally found to have subconjunctival crystal deposits near the superior limbus in her left eye (OS). She was taking medications for gout and hypertension. Multiple conjunctival crystals were excised from the area before cataract surgery. Light microscopy under polarization revealed crystals, and histopathological examination confirmed gouty tophi.

Conclusion: Because subconjunctival urate crystals occur only rarely, ophthalmologists should be aware of this potential, particularly in patients with gout.