The Keratopathy of Crohn's Disease

Abstract

A distinctive subepithelial keratopathy developed in four adult patients with Crohn's disease (granulomatous ileocolitis). Small, bilateral, symmetrical subepithelial, and anterior proliferative infiltrates and scarring were present 2 to 3 mm inside the entire corneoscleral limbus. Vision was not affected because the lesions spared the central cornea. The mechanism is not known and the lesion should be regarded as a distinct clinical sign of Crohn's disease.