Keratitis Scrofulous

Scrofula keratitis is an acute and chronically recurrent blepharoconjunctivitis caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and characterized by exudative inflammation, superficial corneal opacity, the presence of small infiltrated follicles in the conjunctiva of the eyelids, as well as pericorneal edema with the appearance of papillary appendages. Tuberculous inflammation in scrofulous keratitis develops against the background of a significant weakening of the body’s general resistance, mainly after an exacerbation or relapse of the tuberculous process. The disease can have an independent meaning, but more often develops as a result of the inflammatory process in the upper respiratory tract during tuberculosis.

The disease usually occurs in spring and autumn, less often in winter. In severe cases, profuse lacrimation, ptosis, diplopia, and pathological symptoms of general intoxication may occur.

Although the scrofula bacillus is a relatively good growth stimulant, i.e., it contributes to the manifestation of the pathogenesis of tuberculosis infection, the final damage to the cornea occurs exclusively under the influence of microflora from the conjunctival cavity, in particular Pseudomonas aeruginosa, non-fermenting bacilli, streptomycetes, fusobacteria,