Unusual presentation of infectious crystalline keratopathy: A case report with literature review

Ng, Pey Yih and Ahmad, Marium J. and Ismail, Fazliana and Lott, Pooi Wah and Singh, Sujaya (2023) Unusual presentation of infectious crystalline keratopathy: A case report with literature review. European Journal of Ophthalmology, 33 (5). NP83-NP86. ISSN 1120-6721, DOI https://doi.org/10.1177/11206721221136329.

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Abstract

Introduction Infectious crystalline keratopathy (ICK) is a rare corneal disease. ICK has been recognised in patients with immunocompromised cornea or post penetrating keratoplasty. Here we report a case of ICK in an apparently healthy cornea. Case description A 25-years old Chinese female, with no history of systemic or ocular disease, presented to the eye clinic with one-month history of right eye (RE) blurring of vision with foreign body sensation. On examination, there were dense white crystalline needle-like projections over inferior paracentral corneal stroma with intact epithelium. There was also presence of lower eyelid epiblepharon with lashes rubbing against the diseased area. Corneal scraping cultures were suggestive of bacterial infection. Patient responded well with corneal epithelium debridement, intensive topical antibiotics and epiblepharon correction to prevent further microtrauma. Conclusions The only contributing factor for ICK in our patient was trichiasis from epiblepharon. Repetitive microtrauma caused by the eyelashes lead to direct penetration and inoculation of normal ocular flora into the corneal stroma. Clinicians need to be vigilant in ruling out other possible causes such as lid abnormalities when managing an ICK patient without apparent risk factors.

Item Type: Article
Funders: UNSPECIFIED
Uncontrolled Keywords: Infectious crystalline keratopathy; Healthy cornea; Trichiasis
Subjects: R Medicine > RE Ophthalmology
Divisions: Faculty of Medicine > Department of Ophthalmology
Depositing User: Ms. Juhaida Abd Rahim
Date Deposited: 03 Jul 2025 07:27
Last Modified: 03 Jul 2025 07:27
URI: http://eprints.um.edu.my/id/eprint/51008

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