Alport syndrome with recurrent herpes simplex virus keratitis.

PURPOSE: To report a case of Alport syndrome with recurrent herpes simplex virus (HSV) keratitis.

METHODS

Case report and review of the literature.

RESULTS

A 29-year-old man with Alport syndrome suffered from 4 consecutive episodes of HSV keratitis within 2 years. A type IV collagen defect in basement membranes plays an important role in the pathogenesis of Alport syndrome. The relationship between HSV keratitis and Alport syndrome is discussed. After remission from HSV keratitis, the patient underwent bilateral phacoemulsification and posterior-chamber intraocular lens implantation for anterior lenticonus and an anterior polar cataract. After surgery, the uncorrected visual acuity was 20/20 in both eyes.

CONCLUSIONS

We assume that the underlying basement membrane defects in Alport syndrome may account for the recurrent episodes of HSV keratitis in this patient. In addition, phacoemulsification and posterior-chamber intraocular lens implantation, rather than correction of refractive errors, provide a safe and efficient therapeutic choice for the management of anterior lenticonus, with or without associated cataract in patients with Alport syndrome.