Rheumatoid arthritis-associated corneal ulceration complicated by bacterial infection

Mod Rheumatol. 2005;15(6):454-8. doi: 10.1007/s10165-005-0441-7.

Abstract

We report two cases of rheumatoid ocular disease complicated by infection of methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) in one case, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in the other. In both cases, punctal occlusion and immunosuppressive therapy were presumed to be major risk factors of the infections. In addition, the characteristic feature was corneal melting, which is probably accelerated by infection. To avoid infectious progression and melting, potent antibiotics followed by immunosuppressive therapy were necessary.