[Corneal pathology in rheumatoid arthritis and Sjögren-syndrome with special reference to "rheumatoid keratomalacia" (author's transl)].

The corneal pathology in rheumatoid arthritis and Sjögren's syndrome is described with emphasis on rheumatic keratomalacia. This particular disorder whether affecting the central and paracentral or the peripheral parts of the cornea is characterized by thinning of the corneal stroma, loss of epithelium, ulceration and eventually by corneal perforation. 7 cases are reported. Reduced tear production and simultaneous corticosteroid treatment seem to be the essential pathogenetic factors of this corneal disease. Therapeutic consequences and differential diagnosis are discussed.