Acute corneal melt associated with topical bromfenac use.

PURPOSE: To report a case of acute corneal melt associated with use of bromfenac ophthalmic solution.

METHODS

Case report.

RESULTS

A 61-year-old man developed acute corneal melt 5 days after having combined cataract and pterygium surgery in his left eye. Postoperatively, he had been using bromfenac eyedrops four times daily along with the combination of ofloxacin and dexamethasone six times and timolol eyedrops twice daily. Ocular examination revealed the presence of asymptomatic dry eyes. He was managed conservatively with topical antibiotics, lubricants, and bandage contact lens application. The corneal melt healed completely with best-corrected visual acuity of 20/30 at 4 weeks postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS

The current case suggests that corneal melt can occur as a complication of inadvertent excessive use of topical bromfenac in the presence of preexisting ocular surface disorders. However, good visual outcome can be achieved by prompt conservative treatment if accurate diagnosis is made at an early stage.