Corneal perforation in a premature infant.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Few cases of corneal perforation in a premature infant have been described in the literature.

METHODS:

Identical twins were born at 30-weeks gestation. One twin developed a corneal epithelial defect, infiltration, and perforation with extrusion of intraocular contents, requiring an emergency penetrating keratoplasty. The second twin developed a progressive corneal opacity, requiring a lamellar keratectomy.

RESULTS:

After penetrating keratoplasty, the patient developed absolute glaucoma with buphthalmos, leading to enucleation. The twin's lamellar keratectomy specimen proved to be a dermoid.

CONCLUSIONS:

One must be aware of the danger of the development of spontaneous corneal perforation with extrusion of intraocular contents in premature infants presenting at birth with an epithelial defect.

• Authors: B M Zagelbaum, E M Stroh, H D Perry, E D Donnenfeld, A J Cossari
• Journal: Journal of refractive surgery (Thorofare, N.J. : 1995) (J Refract Surg) 1995 Mar-Apr Vol. 11 Issue 2 Pg. 96-8 ISSN: 1081-597X [Print] United States
• PMID: 7634149 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)

Topics

• Cornea (pathology)
• Corneal Diseases (etiology, pathology, surgery)
• Corneal Opacity (etiology, pathology, surgery)
• Corneal Transplantation
• Diseases in Twins (etiology)
• Eye Enucleation
• Humans
• Hydrophthalmos (etiology, surgery)
• Infant, Newborn
• Infant, Premature, Diseases (etiology, pathology, surgery)
• Keratoplasty, Penetrating
• Male
• Rupture, Spontaneous