Noninvasive Diagnosis of Viral Keratouveitis with Retro-corneal Endothelial Plaques: A Case Series

ABSTRACT

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate the noninvasive diagnostic methods in managing the herpetic keratouveitis with retro-corneal endothelial plaques.

Methods

12 patients suspected to have unilateral herpetic keratouveitis with retro-corneal endothelial plaques were included. Slit lamp photos, AS-OCT, IVCM and corneal scraping culture were taken in all cases to help diagnosing and managing the disease. All patients received systemic and topical anti-viral treatment immediately and combined with topical steroids three days later.

Results

Corneal scraping culture ruled out bacterial and fungal infection. AS-OCT showed that the boundaries between the corneal endothelial surface were clear in all patients. Corneal endothelial density and subbasal nerve plexus significantly decreased in all patients. Endothelial plaques reduced or disappeared in all patients with the treatment.

Conclusions

Retro-corneal endothelial plaques and hypopyon are associated clinical manifestations of viral keratouveitis. AS-OCT and IVCM enhanced early detection and assessment during the follow-ups of the disease.

KEYWORDS:

• Viral keratouveitis
• non-invasive diagnosis
• AS-OCT
• ICVM
• retro-corneal endothelial plaques

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by a grant from the National Natural Science Foundation of China [No.81700799] and [No.82070926].