A Case of Salzmann's Nodular Degeneration Caused by Chronic Irritation of Dry Eye and Trichiasis.

Lee, Seung Chan; Lee, Jong Hyuk; Jin, Kyung Hyun

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society 2004;45(6):1036-1039.
Published online June 1, 2004.

A Case of Salzmann's Nodular Degeneration Caused by Chronic Irritation of Dry Eye and Trichiasis.

Seung Chan Lee, Jong Hyuk Lee, Kyung Hyun Jin

¹Department of Ophthalmology, KyungHee University Hospital, #1 Hoegi-dong , Dongdaemun-ku, Seoul, Korea. khjin@khmc.or.kr
²Department of Ophthalmology, Gachon College of Medicine, Korea.

안구건조증 및 속눈썹증으로 인한 만성 자극으로 유발된 잘쯔만 결절 변성 (Salzmann`s Nodular Degeneration) 1예

이승찬 ( Seung Chan Lee ) , 이종혁 ( Jong Hyuk Lee ) , 진경현 ( Kyung Hyun Jin )

Abstract

PURPOSE
To report a case of Salzmann's nodular degeneration caused by chronic irritation from dry eye and trichiasis. METHODS: A 40-year-old female patient visited our ophthalmology clinic complaining of dryness in both eyes. History taking, measurement of visual acuity and intraocular pressure, and slit-lamp examination were performed. RESULTS: We found greyish white nodular opacities which protruded from the inferior corneal surface, and trichiasis at the lower eyelids. Epilation was performed, artificial tear, and lubricating ointment were prescribed, and therapeutic lens was applied. After 3 months of treatment, the symptom was relieved and nodular opacities diminished. CONCLUSIONS: Phlyctenular keratitis, vernal keratoconjunctivitis, trachoma, scarlet fever, postoperative corneal surgery, hard contact lenses, and keratoconus are well known for the course of Salzmann's nodular degeneration. The chronic irritation from dry eye and trichiasis could be the cause of Salzmann's nodular degeneration.

Key Words: Chronic irritation;Dry eye;Salzmann's nodular degeneration;Trichiasis