Scedosporium scleritis following pterygium excision with conjunctival autograft

Abstract

A 67-year-old female presented 6 months following left pterygium surgery with autoconjunctival graft with presumed episcleritis. Following a trial of topical dexamethasone, she returned with pain, reduced vision, and a donor-site scleral nodule. MRI orbits demonstrated scleritis; oral prednisolone was commenced for presumed immune-mediated scleritis. Ten days later, vision reduced to light-perception with significant vitritis overlying a subretinal lesion associated with the donor site. Vitreous tap cultured Scedosporium aurantiacum. Treatment consisted of vitrectomy, scleral debridement with corneal patch graft, with both systemic and intravitreal voriconazole. Further scleral debridement was attempted but unable to be completed due to its posterior extent. As repeat MRI orbits showed persistent active scleritis in proximity to the optic nerve which posed a risk of meningitis, a decision was made for enucleation. This case highlights the difficulties in distinguishing between infectious and autoimmune scleritis, and the importance of excluding infection, particularly in eyes with prior surgery.