Mooren ulcer in a child wearing orthokeratology contact lenses

Abstract

Purpose: To report a case of Mooren ulcer that developed in a pediatric patient wearing orthokeratology overnight contact lenses. Methods: Case report. Results: A 10-year-old boy was referred to our clinic because of progressive peripheral corneal ulcer in the right eye, despite the intensive use of fortified antibiotic eye drops. The patient had been using overnight orthokeratology lenses for 4 months before presentation of corneal ulcer. There was no other history of ocular or systemic trauma and disorders. Microbiological tests of the lesion were negative. Systemic evaluation showed no sign of rheumatologic disease. Under a diagnosis of Mooren ulcer, the patient was treated with topical and systemic corticosteroids. After four weeks of treatment, the patient's symptoms rapidly disappeared, and corneal ulcer was healed. The vision recovered to normal with the correction of with-the-rule astigmatism. Conclusions: Mooren ulcer can develop in pediatric patients wearing orthokeratology contact lenses. Given rapid progression of Mooren ulcer in a young population, early diagnosis and proper treatment are essential to prevent a devastating outcome.