Recurrent Salzmann's nodular degeneration.

BACKGROUND

We report a patient with Salzmann's nodular degeneration in whom the disease occurred without a history of keratitis and recurred twice after keratectomy.

CASE: A unilateral case of symptomatic Salzmann's nodular degeneration developed after cataract surgery in a 75-year-old woman.

OBSERVATIONS: We performed superficial keratectomy and amniotic membrane transplantation two times, but both times the lesions recurred 1 month postoperatively. After we performed the third superficial keratectomy above the level of Bowman's layer, there was no recurrence by the last follow-up 6 months postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS

Salzmann's nodular degeneration can be diagnosed by clinical characteristics, even if there is no history of keratitis. Because it can recur after surgical removal of the lesion, patients with this disease need to be followed-up periodically.