Necrotic scleral melt and fungal keratitis-a complication of subtenon triamcinolone acetonide injection

Management of scleral melt

Scleral melting, while rare, can lead to significant ocular morbidity. Several possible risk factors for scleral melt have been identified, such as infection, autoimmune disease, trauma, and post-surgical state, and these may act in combination with each other. Treatment should be tailored according to the etiology and severity of the scleral melt. Medical management may be indicated, especially in cases of autoimmune-related melt; however, surgical procedures are often necessary due to compromised ocular integrity and limited penetration of medications into the avascular sclera. An understanding of the surgical options available and their operative outcomes is particularly important when choosing the appropriate treatment protocol for each patient.

Surgically-induced necrotising scleritis complicated by Nocardia infection following routine cataract surgery

Necrotising scleritis is a rare, inflammatory condition with potentially devastating visual consequences. It can be associated with inflammatory and infectious causes, and has been linked to several different ocular procedures. We present a difficult case of a patient with surgically-induced necrotising scleritis following routine phacoemulsification cataract surgery, who developed a secondary Nocardia bacterial infection. He required a number of surgical interventions and prolonged antibiotic therapy, suffering recurrent scleral abscesses. A literature review accompanies our case report. Prompt recognition and adequate investigation for underlying inflammatory and infective causes are vital to maintain integrity of the globe and ensure suitable treatment of this challenging condition.

Umbilical amnion and amniotic membrane transplantation for infectious scleritis and scleral melt: A case series

Purpose

To report the outcomes of two cases of infectious scleritis with severe scleral thinning managed using combined mechanical debridement, cryopreserved umbilical amnion (UA) and amniotic membrane (AM) grafts, and antimicrobial therapy.

Observations

Two patients presented with severe infectious scleritis with progressive scleral melts secondary to Pseudomonas aeruginosa subsequent to pterygium surgery and intravitreal injection, respectively. Surgical debridement was followed by UA grafting, AM transplantation, and antimicrobial therapy. Epithelialization and vascularization were seen within 1-4 weeks post-operatively. At last follow up of 5-6 months, the structural integrity of the sclera remained preserved with no infection recurrence, graft necrosis, or wound dehiscence.

Conclusions and importance

This case series highlights the utilization of UA grafting along with AM transplantation and topical and systemic antibiotics to preserve the globe in cases of severe infectious scleritis.