Peripheral ulcerative keratitis after cataract surgery in a patient with ocular cicatricial pemphigoid

Abstract

Purpose: To describe a case of peripheral ulcerative keratitis (PUK) that developed in the immediate postoperative period after uncomplicated cataract surgery in a patient with ocular cicatricial pemphigoid.

Methods: Single interventional case report. An elderly white woman with stable ocular cicatricial pemphigoid underwent an uncomplicated clear corneal phacoemulsification procedure in the left eye. In the immediate postoperative period, PUK developed adjacent to the corneal wound in the left eye.

Results: The PUK was successfully treated with a bandage contact lens to the left eye, optimizing the ocular surface with punctal plugs and topical and systemic steroid therapy. After a 7-week course of tapering topical and systemic steroids, the PUK completely resolved. There was no further flare-up over a 12-month period.

Conclusions: PUK can develop after clear corneal cataract surgery in patients with stable ocular cicatricial pemphigoid. Perioperative immunosuppression should be considered to minimize the chance of PUK developing in such cases.