Ocular manifestation of Ichthyosis

Purpose: Ichthyosis is a rare dermato-ocular disease. This study evaluates the presenting ocular signs, symptoms, complications and prognosis of ichthyosis in a case series from Saudi Arabia

Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed for 11 patients with ichthyosis who presented to King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, over the last 20 years

Results: The most common presenting ocular diagnosis was ectropion of both the lids. Two patients developed corneal perforation with poor prognosis. Most of the patients underwent skin grafting to repair eyelid ectropion. The visual prognosis was excellent because timely surgical interventions were performed. Hence the rate of corneal complications such as perforation was low

Conclusion: The most ocular presentation of ichthyosis is ectropion of both the upper and lower lids. Despite good visual prognosis, there were some devastating corneal complications such as perforation with unpredictable outcomes

Phthiriasis palpebrum presenting as chronic atypical unilateral blepharitis

To report a case of phthiriasis palpebrum presenting as unilateral blepharitis in a 4-year-old male child. Materials and Observational case report. A 4-year-old child presented to the emergency room of King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital complaining of persistent redness after he had trivial trauma to his right eye one day earlier. Live crab lice and their nits were found attached to the eyelashes of the right upper lid. They were removed mechanically by jeweler's forceps under slit lamp and topical anesthesia, and treated with application of erythromycin eye ointment for two weeks. Infestation of the right upper eyelid by phthiriasis palpebrum was diagnosed and treated successfully. Meticulous examination of the eye lids may help early diagnosis and treatment of such communicable diseases. Screening of family members for possible sources of infection, and health education are important issues in the prevention of such diseases