PERIPHERAL ULCERATIVE KERATITIS AND MALIGNANCIES

Although systemic and local autoimmune diseases are the primary possib ilities in the differential diagnosis of non-infectious peripheral ulc erative keratitis (PUK), other unusual etiologies such as systemic or local malignancies also must be considered. We report on two patients with PUK whose study led to the discovery and subsequent treatment of a chronic myelogenous leukemia and a sebaceous cell carcinoma of the e yelid, respectively. The results emphasize the need for meticulous dia gnostic pursuit, including the possibility of malignancy in patients w ith peripheral ulcerative keratitis.