Prolonged conjunctivitis mimicking nodular episcleritis as a manifestation of granulomatosis with polyangiitis: A case report

• Main Authors: Lee, Hong Nien, Subrayan, Visvaraja
• Format: Article
• Published: AME Publishing Company 2022
• Subjects: RE Ophthalmology
• Online Access: http://eprints.um.edu.my/43339/; https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85127655333&doi=10.21037%2faes-21-32&partnerID=40&md5=fbee91bb12d29a9f6242a7d29a102330

Red eye is common in our daily practice. It ranges from non-inflammatory to inflammatory causes. An extended course of disease should prompt suspicion and the possibility of diagnosis revision. A prolonged conjunctivitis mimicking nodular episcleritis can be presented as a manifestation of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA). A 57-year-old woman complained of eye redness and tearing for two weeks which partially resolved with antibiotics. She was subsequently commenced on topical and oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and topical anti-allergic. However, in the following reviews she developed cornea thinning and her systemic examination revealed an injected uvula with absence of upper respiratory tract infection. She was investigated for connective tissue disease and found to have raised anti-inflammatory markers and her antinuclear antibody and C-ANCA tests were positive. She was diagnosed with GPA. Her conditions improved followed by the commencement of topical corticosteroid with high dose of systemic corticosteroid, which followed by a tapering regime with oral corticosteroid. Although red eye is common, it is associated with a variety of diseases. GPA manifestation can be as subtle as a red eye. Any prolonged partially treated red eye should prompt suspicion of a more sinister cause. Sensitive detection of other subtle systemic signs is very important. © Annals of Eye Science. All rights reserved.