Corneal Degeneration Secondary to Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis - CME

CME

Description: A 35-year-old man living near the Taklimakan Desert in China’s Xinjiang region presented with severe vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) since childhood, leading to peripheral corneal degeneration, pseudogerontoxon, and opacification. He reported persistent redness, tingling, and itching in both eyes since the age of 8 years, with progressive shrinkage of the clear corneal zone over 10 years, without adhering to a standardized treatment regimen. His uncorrected visual acuity was 20/25 OU. On slitlamp examination, mild hyperemia of the conjunctiva of both eyelids and opacity around the cornea were observed. Superficial neovascularization was seen at the edge of the cornea, extending toward the center. The central clear zone measured 5.8 mm × 3.5 mm in the right eye and 5.6 mm × 3.4 mm in the left eye (Figure). This case provides an example of extensive corneal abnormalities associated with VKC, which may be more common in relatively dry and hot environments, and the need to consider standardized and systematic treatment to control chronic inflammation and prevent corneal degeneration.

Learning Objectives

Specialties: Ophthalmology, Internal Medicine - General, Family Medicine, Critical Care, Primary Care

Disclosures and Disclaimers: Unless noted, all individuals in control of content reported no relevant financial relationships. If applicable, all relevant financial relationships have been mitigated.

Accredited Providers

Credit Information

Credit Type	Units / Unit Type	Board
AMA PRA Category 1 Credit	1 Credits	ACCME- Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education