Spontaneous corneal perforation in a young patient with vernal keratoconjunctivitis

Purpose Spontaneous corneal perforation is a rare complication of systemic diseases with ocular involvement such as Sjögren's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, graft‐versus‐host disease or ocular rosacea. There are few cases of spontaneous perforations in adult patients described in the literature associated with keratoconus (KC) or pellucid marginal degeneration (PMD). This case describes a spontaneous corneal perforation in a young patient with vernal keratoconjunctivitis. Methods Case report. Results A 14‐year‐old male patient presented at the Department of Ophthalmology accompanied by his parents due to one day existing redness and hazy vision of the left eye (OS). Additionally, he noticed a sudden “water outflow from the left eye.” The patient's medical history includes vernal keratoconjunctivitis, systemic prediabetes, obesity and steatohepatitis. Slit‐lamp examination of the left eye revealed a spontaneous corneal perforation of 1.4 × 1.8 mm inferonasal with iris tamponade and a surrounding corneal melting of 4 mm. The anterior chamber had been totally flattened. The right eye was diagnosed by slit‐lamp examination with central corneal thinning and inferior peripheral vascularization. The corneal perforation was primarily treated with histoacrylic tissue glue. Antibiotic treatment with Ceftazidime and Moxifloxacin eye drops alternating every hour has been established. After one week, a progressive corneal melting in the area of the primary corneal perforation was observed. Therefore, a patch “keratoplasty à chaud” had to be performed. The postoperative course was devoid of complications. The patient was initially treated with Pred forte eye drops 4 times daily. An optical penetrating keratoplasty is planned. Conclusions Spontaneous corneal perforation is an extremely rare but severe complication of vernal keratoconjunctivitis, which can also occur in young patients. Ophthalmologists should be aware of this rare complication and inform and treat their patients accordingly.