Incidence of corneal melting in association with systemic disease in the Yorkshire Region, 1995-7

Abstract

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. Methods - In a prospective study, vigorous attempts were made to identify all patients presenting with newly diagnosed corneal melting over a 3 year period. Results - 27 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. Conclusion - The annual incidence of corneal melting in the Yorkshire Region is 3.01/million/year (95% CI = 0.7-9.6).