A Case of Neurotrophic Keratopathy Associated with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma.

PURPOSE

To report a case of neurotrophic keratopathy associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

CASE REPORT

A 59-year-old man who had been diagnosed with a nasopharyngeal carcinoma was referred to the authors because of visual disturbance and pain in his right eye. Slit-lamp examination revealed a corneal epithelial defect and corneal stromal edema surrounding the epithelial defect area in his right eye. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a mass in his cavernous sinus, which was identified as nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). We diagnosed neurotrophic keratopathy associated with NPC and initiated treatment with preservative-free artificial tears, antibiotic eye drops, fibronectin, a therapeutic contact lens, and amniotic membrane transplantation. However, the persistent corneal epithelial defect was unresponsive to these treatments.

CONCLUSION

Neurotrophic keratopathy secondary to NPC is thought to be rare. We presented a case of neurotrophic keratopathy associated with cavernous sinus metastasis of an NPC. The development of new and more effective treatments for this refractory disease is anticipated.