A rare ocular complication of neisseria gonorrhoeae

Ir J Med Sci. 2018 Aug;187(3):815-816. doi: 10.1007/s11845-018-1740-2. Epub 2018 Jan 18.

Abstract

Background: Spontaneous formation of subconjunctival filtering blebs is rare and has been observed after penetrating ocular surgery, in association with connective tissue diseases and inflammatory conditions.

Method: We describe here a case of a spontaneous formation of subconjunctival filtering bleb as sequelae of gonococcal conjunctivitis in an adult patient.

Results: Spontaneous filtering bleb is a rare complication of gonococcal conjunctivitis. In this case, the patient presented with a recent history of gonococcal conjunctivitis treated with moxifloxacin eye drops and intravenous cephalothin for a week. On the first exam, there was superior corneal thinning with surrounding conjunctival hyperemia and edema in the right eye, but after the patient lost the follow-up for 2 weeks, the corneal thinning had become a pseudopterygium. After another week, we observed a focal elevation on the superior conjunctiva that had the appearance of a bleb, although the anterior chamber remained deep. The filtering bleb was confirmed by ultrasound biomicroscopy examination (UBM).

Conclusion: This case is relevant to the clinical practice because filtering blebs should be considered as a complication of gonococcal conjunctivitis because they pose a threat to the eye when substantial leakage occurs.

Keywords: Gonococcal conjunctivitis; Spontaneous filtering bleb.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Eye Diseases / etiology*
  • Eye Diseases / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Neisseria gonorrhoeae / pathogenicity*
  • Young Adult