Incidence of corneal melting in association with systemic disease in the Yorkshire Region, 1995-7.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the incidence of corneal melting or necrotising keratitis in association with systemic disease in the Yorkshire Region and to determine the type and duration of the systemic association.


METHODS
In a prospective study, vigorous attempts were made to identify all patients presenting with newly diagnosed corneal melting over a 3 year period.


RESULTS
27 patients were identified during the study period. Rheumatoid arthritis and Wegener's granulomatosis were the most common disease associations. Corneal melting was a late complication of rheumatoid arthritis, but usually occurred during early and overt systemic disease in patients with Wegener's granulomatosis.


CONCLUSIONS
The annual incidence of corneal melting in the Yorkshire Region is 3.01/million/year (95% CI = 0.7-9.6).
Department of Ophthalmology, St James's University Hospital, Leeds.
M
M
McKibbin
J D
JD
Isaacs
A J
AJ
Morrell
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D014890:Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies