Spontaneous corneal perforation complicating ocular rosacea: Case report

INTRODUCTION: Ocular rosacea is a multifactorial disease. Its pathophysiology remains unclear. The ocular manifestations of rosacea are not specific and can range from simple blepharoconjunctivitis to sight-threatening such as corneal perforation. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 10-year-old child who presented with a red painful right eye. Based on the clinical findings, we concluded that she had a corneal perforation on ocular rosacea. She benefited from an ipsilateral lamellar autokeratoplasty by lamellar autograft. The evolution was marked by a good healing and a good visual recovery despite a corneal scar. DISCUSSION: Ocular rosacea is a multifactorial disease, with an unclear physiopathology. Corneal involvement remains the least common, but the most challenging since serious complications can occur. Corneal perforation is the most severe. Several techniques have been reported and used in the management of corneal perforations such as conjunctival flap, amniotic membrane grafting, and the use of a corneal patch. The later, corneal autografting, remains a simple and effective technique with satisfactory anatomical results. CONCLUSION: Ocular rosacea is a pathology that is still poorly understood and of delayed diagnosis. It can lead to serious vision-threatening complications such as corneal perforation. The corneal patch is a simple, effective and efficient technique that has given good results in our case.