This 70 year-old man
was discharged from the hospital 3 years ago after his attending
ophthalmologist thought nothing could be done for his ocular condition
and he was certified blind. Before he lost his sight, he had had a
four-year history recurrent of bilateral ocular inflammation which was
intermittent controlled with topical medications. Unfortunately, his
previous ophthalmic record was destroyed as he was discharged from the
hospital care. His family took him back to the hospital to find out if
the new ophthalmologists might be able to offer any helps in improving
his vision. His visual acuity was light perception in the right eye and
hand movement in the left eye. The eyes could not be open fully because
of symblepharons. The corneas were covered with by membranes extending
from the conjunctiva. However, the oral mucosa appeared normal. The
history and examination suggested that he suffered from ocular
cicatricial pemphigoid which had now burnt out.
Surgery is unlikely to
be useful due to stem cell deficiency. However, the patient has been
listed for removal of the membrane over the left cornea with buccal
mucosa and amniotic membrane graft.
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Bilateral small palpebral aperture
as a result of symblepharons.
Close-up view of the right eye.
Close-up view of the left eye. |
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