Anterior staphyloma in a 6-month-old, severely malnourished child following measles: A case report

Abstract

Xerophthalmia is an important cause of preventable blindness in Nigerian children. Vitamin A deficiency is not the only cause of staphyloma. The vitamin A deficiency can lead to degenerative changes with subsequent softening of the cornea and protrusion of the uveal tissues through the weakest points. We highlight an under-reported case of right anterior staphyloma in a marasmic, 6-month-old child with probable vitamin A deficiency following measles infection. The child developed a measles-like rash and protrusion of the right eye, associated copious purulent discharge, reddening, and sticking of the eyelids against a background recurrent fever, diarrhea, and progressive weight loss. There was preceding poor nutritional history and the parents are of low socioeconomic background. There was a loss of vision in the right eye and perception of the hand movement in the left eye. He had saline irrigation of the eye, systemic and topical antibiotics, vitamin A in addition to the nutritional rehabilitation, fluid, and electrolytes management. The patient improved significantly and was discharged and followed up at the gastroenterology and ophthalmology clinics. Nutritional rehabilitation using high protein and calories diet, which was cereal-based, was continued at an outpatient basis in addition to growth monitoring. Evisceration of the right eye was planned and the child was yet to have the surgery at the time of writing this report.