J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2004 Feb;45(2):324-327.

A Case of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Keratitis

• Ha HS
• Kim JC

Abstract

PURPOSE
Mycobacterium tuberculosis usually affects the lungs, although it may involve various segments of the eye and cause severe visual loss if not treated properly. We report the case of Mycobacterium tuberculosis keratitis treated successfully with antituberculous medication and amniotic membrane transplantation. METHODS: A 48-year-old male patient diagnosed as cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis about 20 years ago was referred from other hospital. He complained about painless corneal opacity on right eye. And other systemic evaluation other than cervical lymphadenitis was not remarkable. On biomicrosopy, peripheral multiple corneal opacity and neovascularization were observed. Fortified tobramycin eyedrops and oral antituberculous medication were used preoperatively. Under local anesthesia, the lesion was removed, and lamellar keratoplasty with lyophilized cornea and amniotic membrane transplantation was performed. Amikacin eyedrops was used postoperatively. RESULTS: From postoperative day 15, corneal opacity was decreased gradually. CONCLUSIONS: Mycobacterium tuberculosis should be considered as one of the causes of keratitis manifesting painless corneal opacity concomitant with cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis. Proper examination and management are necessary.

Keyword

Amniotic membrane transplantation; Interstitial keratitis; Mycobacterium tuberculosis keratitis

MeSH Terms

Amikacin
Amnion
Anesthesia, Local
Cornea
Corneal Opacity
Corneal Transplantation
Humans
Keratitis*
Lung
Lymphadenitis
Male
Middle Aged
Mycobacterium tuberculosis*
Mycobacterium*
Ophthalmic Solutions
Tobramycin
Tuberculosis, Lymph Node
Amikacin
Ophthalmic Solutions
Tobramycin