versão impressa ISSN 0004-2749versão On-line ISSN 1678-2925
Arq. Bras. Oftalmol. vol.62 no.3 São Paulo jun. 1999
http://dx.doi.org/10.5935/0004-2749.19990021
The purpose of this study is point out the existence of this unusual disease that may lead to ocular perforation and make a bibliographic review about it.
One case of Fuchs' superficial marginal keratitis, an uncommon disease, of unknown etiology, usually bilateral that affects young and middle-aged adults was studied. This entity has a chronic course, marked by recurrent bouts of ocular pain and injections asssociated with marginal corneal infiltrate that surround peripheral cornea. After remission of the process a corneal thinning, mildly opacified, superficially vascularizated and with larges pseudopterygium develops. Good visual acuity is generally maintained because the central cornea is spared.
The various causes of marginal keratitis include Terrien's marginal degeneration, Mooren's ulcer, infections, hipersensi-tivity to bacterial products, trachoma and systemic illnesses. All of these diseases were excluded clinical and/or laboratorially.
Keywords: Cornea; Keratitis