Hemorrhagic Descemet Membrane Detachment Following Syphilitic Interstitial Keratitis.

PURPOSE: Syphilitic interstitial keratitis is a stromal inflammatory disease with characteristic secondary vascularization. This case illustrates a late complication of hemorrhagic Descemet membrane detachment.

METHODS

Case report.

RESULTS

The patient presented with painless sudden visual loss and progressive shallowing of the anterior chamber caused by hemorrhagic Descemet membrane detachment. She had corneal neovascularization and a positive syphilis serology. Owing to the risk of pupil block glaucoma, the patient had surgical drainage of the blood via an ab externo approach.

CONCLUSIONS

This case illustrates a previously unreported complication of syphilitic interstitial keratitis. The patient recovered good visual acuity and had residual pigment deposits in the pre-Descemet interface.