Acute calcareous corneal degeneration in a patient with chronic graft-versus-host disease

Rom J Ophthalmol. 2024 Jan-Mar;68(1):53-56. doi: 10.22336/rjo.2024.10.

Abstract

Objective: To describe acute calcareous corneal degeneration as a complication of chronic graft-versus-host disease. Materials and methods: Clinical case and review of the literature. Results: We presented a case of bilateral acute calcareous corneal degeneration in a patient with chronic graft-versus-host disease. Conclusions: Chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) occurs in 50-70% of bone marrow transplantation patients, the most frequent ocular complication being keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS). Calcareous corneal degeneration is a type of calcium deposition that can be secondary to chronic ocular inflammation or dry eye, but there are few cases reported of acute calcareous corneal degeneration and recurrent perforation in cGVHD. Abbreviations: GVHD = Chronic graft-versus-host disease, aGVHD = Acute graft-versus-host disease, cGVHD = Chronic graft-versus-host disease, KCS = Keratoconjunctivitis sicca, PKP = Penetrating keratoplasty, AMT = Amniotic membrane transplantation, PRGF = Plasma rich in growth factors, OD = Right eye, OS = Left eye.

Keywords: calcareous corneal degeneration; calcium deposition; chronic graft-versus-host disease; corneal perforation; keratoconjunctivitis sicca.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Bronchiolitis Obliterans Syndrome*
  • Cornea
  • Corneal Dystrophies, Hereditary*
  • Humans
  • Inflammation
  • Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca*
  • Keratoplasty, Penetrating