Purpose: To report a case of late-onset corneal haze following previous photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) concurrent with the development of systemic lupus erythematosus.
Methods: Single case report and review of medical literature.
Results: A 41-year-old woman underwent uneventful bilateral, non-simultaneous photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) with retreatment of the right eye after 1 year. Two months after retreatment, the patient presented with headaches and mental status changes and was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus. Severe reticular corneal scarring developed in the right eye 1 year after retreatment. After the patient's disease was well controlled on a maintenance dose of hydroxychloroquine 200 mg twice a day, mechanical debridement was performed on the right cornea with a marked decrease in corneal haze and improved best spectacle-corrected vision.
Conclusion: Patients who manifest with autoimmune disorders such as systemic lupus erythematosus may be at greater risk for developing dense, reticular corneal scars after PRK.