A Case of Recurrent Myxomatous Corneal Degeneration Treated by Interferon Alpha-2b

PURPOSE: To report a case of recurrent myxomatous corneal degeneration after pterygectomy. CASE SUMMARY: A 65-year-old man with a history of abdominal keloid was referred to our hospital for assessment of a well-circumscribed, gelatinous, whitish corneal mass on the nasal corneal area of the left eye that appeared one month prior. The patient had undergone pterygectomy on his left eye 2 years ago. The patient experienced mild foreign body sensation. The other anterior segment and fundus examination of the left eye were both normal. We diagnosed the case as keloid and we performed excisional biopsy of the corneal mass. Histologic findings revealed proliferation of myxoid-appearing material in the anterior corneal stroma. On immunohistochemical examination, sections were stained positive for actin and calretinin, and negative for S-100. We diagnosed the tumor as myxomatous corneal degeneration. After six months, a recurrent mass was found on the previously excised site. Re-excisional biopsy and topical interferon α-2b treatment were then performed in response. After re-excision, there was no recurrence or complications during one year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Myxomatous corneal degeneration should be considered during differential diagnosis of an elevated, whitish, gelatinous lesion of the cornea with previous history of trauma or operation, such as pterygectomy. An interferon α-2b topical treatment is useful for recurrent corneal myomatous degeneration.

Prognosis and Survival Rate of Penetrating Keratoplasty in Corneal Dystrophy and Corneal Degeneration

PURPOSE: To investigate the prognosis, survival rate and curve on the eyes for corneal dystrophy and corneal degeneration, we performed statistical analysis. METHODS: Forty-one recipients (62 eyes) have received penetrating keratoplasty for corneal dystrophy and corneal degeneration for about 14 years from April 1984 to October 1997. We analyzed survival rate and curve on sex, age and type of corneal dystrophy and corneal degeneration. RESULTS: Mean age was 35 years and sex distribution of recipient was predominant in female patients (M: 16 recipients, 19 eyes, F: 25 recipients, 43 eyes). In the causative disease of first keratoplasty, corneal dystrophy and corneal degeneration were 46 eyes and 16 eyes. Granular type was the most common type of keratoplasty. In 62 grafts, graft rejection was developed in 19 eyes (30.6%). Graft rejection periods ranged from 53 days to 10 years and 3 months. Mean graft rejection time was 2 years and 8 months. In this study, 5 years survival rate developed in 75% of corneal dystrophy and developed in 31% of corneal degeneration. The statistical analysis showed significant relationship between survival rate and disease type (p=0.0032, p0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This result suggests that corneal dystrophy was higher than corneal degeneration in survival rate with statistically significant difference. But sex and age did not have influence on survival rate.