Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty after cytomegalovirus corneal endotheliitis and immunosuppression for Mooren's ulcer

PURPOSE: The aim of this report was to describe a case of cataract surgery and Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) after cytomegalovirus (CMV) corneal endotheliitis and bullous keratopathy (BK) following immunosuppressive treatment for Mooren's ulcer. OBSERVATIONS: A 64-year-old man was referred to our hospital because of peripheral ulcerative keratitis in his left eye. He had a history of trabeculectomy for open angle glaucoma in his left eye. He was diagnosed with Mooren's ulcer and treated with topical betamethasone and tacrolimus with systemic cyclosporine. The corneal ulcer improved, but the peripheral cornea thinned from 6 to 12 and 0–2 o'clock. Five months later, cells were observed in the left anterior chamber, and real-time polymerase chain reaction examination of the aqueous humor showed CMV-DNA-positive results. The patient was diagnosed with CMV corneal endotheliitis, and oral ganciclovir was administered. Fifteen months after the initial presentation, BK appeared with decreased vision to 20 cm/n. d. After confirmation of negative CMV-DNA in the aqueous humor, DSAEK was performed following cataract surgery. The postoperative visual acuity recovered to 0.3. Mooren's ulcer exacerbation and CMV corneal endotheliitis did not recur postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPORTANCE: This is the first report of a case in which a patient with Mooren's ulcer developed BK due to CMV corneal endotheliitis and required DSAEK. Cataract surgery and DSAEK could be performed without issue by creating the main wound and side ports in a manner that avoids the thinned parts of the cornea.