Ocular manifestations of molluscum contagiosum

Abstract

Purpose:  Two cases of molluscum contagiosum (MC) are presented to illustrate the range of potential anterior segment complications of this condition.

Methods:  Clinical records for two patients diagnosed with MC are retrospectively reviewed. Diagnosis and management of both cases are presented.

Results:  The first patient demonstrates a classic presentation of ocular MC. The patient was young and had several dermal lid lesions at the time of presentation. The second case represents a less common presentation. The patient was an adult and had a single lid lesion that was not apparent at the initial examination. Both patients had follicular conjunctivitis that resolved with excision of the concomitant eyelid lesions.

Conclusion:  MC is a treatable cause of chronic conjunctivitis or keratoconjunctivitis. Eye‐care providers should be mindful that MC could present as a follicular keratoconjunctivitis with or without obvious dermal lid lesions. The possibility of immuno‐compromise must be considered in patients with multiple large lesions, cutaneous lesions that do not respond to standard therapy, or recurrent lesions.

Key words:

• conjunctivitis
• keratoconjunctivitis
• molluscum contagiosum