Surgically induced necrotizing scleritis after a routine extracapsular cataract extraction

Abstract

Objective: To report a case of necrotizing scleritis in an elderly diabetic patient who underwent uneventful extracapsular cataract extraction.

Methods: Observational case report.

Results: A 79-year-old diabetic female who had undergone extracapsular lens extraction consulted for unilateral severe eye pain and redness associated with scleral thinning, tenderness, blurred vision, and moderate vitritis. The patient was diagnosed to have surgically induced necrotizing scleritis based on the location, clinical findings, localized hypofluorescence with anterior segment fluorescein angiography, and posterior scleral thickening demonstrated by B-scan. There were no associated systemic findings. The patient responded well to oral steroids; symptoms resolved a few days after treatment was started.

Conclusion: Necrotizing scleritis affecting both anterior and posterior sclera may occur months after cataract extraction. Early diagnosis and management may result in good outcomes.