Infectious scleritis after using mitomycin in the postoperative period of pterygium surgery

Abstract

ABSTRACT This report described a case of a 56-year-old female patient with a history of pterygium excision and use of mitomycin C eye drops during the postoperative period who developed necrotizing infectious scleritis caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The patient was admitted for treatment with intravenous antibiotic therapy, topical fortified antibiotics, systemic corticotherapy, and debridement of the necrotic ocular tissue. After 3 weeks, she presented with good clinical evolution and resolution of the infection. Mitomycin eye drops should be used cautiously, particularly after surgery. If mitomycin is used, it should be applied at the lowest concentration and for the shortest duration possible and should be avoided postoperatively to prevent these complications. Although scleral infection is a serious condition with a high risk of permanent vision loss, early and appropriate treatment can be critical for good clinical outcomes.

Keywords

• Scleritis
• Mitomycin
• Pseudomonas
• Pterygium
• Surgical complications