Br J Ophthalmol 1999;83:941-943
( August )
Incidence of corneal melting in association with systemic disease
in the Yorkshire Region, 1995-7
M McKibbina, J D Isaacsb, A J Morrella
a Department of
Ophthalmology, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, b Department of
Rheumatology, St James's University Hospital, Leeds
Correspondence to: Mr Martin McKibbin, Eye Clinic, Leeds General Infirmary, Belmont Grove,
Leeds LS2 9NS.
Accepted for publication 29 March 1999
AIMS
To estimate the
incidence of corneal melting or necrotising keratitis in association
with systemic disease in the Yorkshire Region and to determine the type
and duration of the systemic association.
METHODSIn a
prospective study, vigorous attempts were made to identify all patients
presenting with newly diagnosed corneal melting over a 3 year period.
RESULTS27 patients
were identified during the study period. Rheumatoid arthritis and
Wegener's granulomatosis were the most common disease associations.
Corneal melting was a late complication of rheumatoid arthritis, but
usually occurred during early and overt systemic disease in patients
with Wegener's granulomatosis.
CONCLUSIONThe annual
incidence of corneal melting in the Yorkshire Region is
3.01/million/year (95% CI = 0.7-9.6).
© 1999 by British Journal of Ophthalmology
