Corneal melting after cataract surgery in a patient with autoimmune disease

Abstract

Case report: A 78-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis and secondary Sjögren's syndrome presented with corneal melting three days after cataract extraction that required penetrating keratoplasty. By the fourth month, a second corneal transplant was needed due to a new descemetocele associated with her systemic disease.

Discussion: The underlying disease, together with the surgical history, was responsible for the complication presented. The correct anamnesis prior to cataract surgery, a refined technique, and a close post-operative follow-up can avoid such a serious complication. Immunomodulatory treatments are essential in this type of patient.

Keywords: Artritis reumatoide; Autoimmune disease; Cataract surgery; Cirugía de catarata; Enfermedad autoinmune; Post-operative corneal melting; Queratoplastia tectónica; Queratólisis posquirúrgica; Rheumatoid arthritis; Tectonic keratoplasty.