Histopathological changes of cornea in long-term sympathetic ophthalmitis.

PURPOSE: To report the histopathological changes occurring in the cornea in sympathetic ophthalmitis.

METHODS

Observational case series of 3 patients with sympathetic ophthalmitis who were treated with penetrating keratoplasty. We report the histopathological features of the cornea.

RESULTS

In all 3 cases, the epithelium was edematous and bullous with extensive loss of the Bowman layer and calcification of the superficial stroma in all the 3 eyes. The deep stroma was unremarkable in appearance. Descemet membrane showed thickening in 2 of the corneas with nodular excrescences and folds noted in 1 of the specimens. The endothelium was attenuated with some residual cells containing pigment granules in 1 case.

CONCLUSIONS

Endothelial loss and development of bullous keratopathy associated with band keratopathy are predominate histopathological features of the cornea. These changes are nonspecific and reflect a chronic anterior uveitis.