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Case Reports
. 2024 May 22;16(5):e60853.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.60853. eCollection 2024 May.

Corneal Melt and Perforation Associated With Prolonged Oral Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) Use: A Case Report

Reham Aljehani  1 , Mohammed Almutlaq  2 , Shaikha Aldossari  3 , Khaled Al-Abduljabbar  3
Affiliations
Case Reports

Corneal Melt and Perforation Associated With Prolonged Oral Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) Use: A Case Report

Reham Aljehani et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Corneal melt and perforation can arise from various etiologies, including the use of toxic topical drops, particularly topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The literature has frequently documented the association between the use of topical NSAIDs and the subsequent development of corneal ulcers. More recently, reports have emerged linking the use of oral NSAIDs and colchicine to impaired corneal wound healing and corneal perforation. This case report presents an instance of corneal melting and subsequent perforation in a medically unburdened patient who had been self-administering oral NSAIDs for one year. The evidence presented in this report suggests a plausible association between the prolonged administration of oral NSAIDs and corneal melt. Consequently, healthcare practitioners should be mindful of this potential risk when considering the prolonged use of oral NSAIDs.

Keywords: (nsaid) non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; cornea abnormalities; corneal perforation; corneal thinning; corneal wound healing; nsaid abuse.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. (A&B) Slit lamp photos of the patient at presentation showing corneal melt, globe perforation, and exposed IOL
Figure 2
Figure 2. Slit lamp photos after management with tectonic penetrating keratoplasty
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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