Peripheral keratitis associated with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia.

PURPOSE

To describe a case of peripheral keratitis in a patient with an acute exacerbation of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML).

METHOD

Case report and review of the literature.

RESULTS

This is the second reported case of peripheral keratitis in a patient with CMML. The previously reported patient presented with peripheral keratitis that led to the diagnosis of leukemia. Our patient had an established diagnosis of CMML, and peripheral keratitis occurred during an acute exacerbation of his chronic leukemia. The keratitis resolved with topical corticosteroids in our patient.

CONCLUSION

Leukemia should be included in the differential diagnosis of peripheral keratitis. Elevated white blood cell count with abnormal differential in a patient with peripheral keratitis may help to establish a diagnosis of leukemia or identify an acute exacerbation of chronic leukemia.