Ocular involvement in xeroderma pigmentosum

Abstract

A 37-year-old, white woman with xeroderma pigmentosum had reduced vision for many years because of primary and secondary corneal epithelial edema and stromal haze. Corneal grafting was required, but was not successful. Numerous primary dermal tumors of various types involving the lids of both eyes had been excised surgically or treated by freezing with liquid nitrogen. Squamous cell carcinomas involving the limbal area of the globe and adjacent tissues were excised from the left eye at age 12, the right eye at age 32, and the left eye (again) at age 36. The right limbal tumor soon recurred and invaded the orbit despite radiation treatment; this required right orbital exenteration. The second left limbal tumor recurred one year later, soon after the recurrence of a left lower lid basal cell carcinoma. Left orbital exenteration was required. Corneal graft failures and recurrent ocular squamous cell carcinoma involving the eye in xeroderma pigmentosum can be difficult management problems.