Corneal invasion of ocular surface squamous neoplasia after clear corneal phacoemulsification: in vivo confocal microscopy analysis

We describe an unusual case of ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) that occurred in a male patient after superonasal clear corneal phacoemulsification with extensive papillomatous corneal invasion near a side port. The features of the macroscopic invasion of the corneal superficial layers were analyzed by in vivo confocal analysis using the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph II. After OSSN was diagnosed, topical mitomycin-C 0.02% eyedrops were prescribed 4 times a day in a cyclic manner (3 cycles of 1 week on drops followed by 1 week off). After 1 month (second cycle), the natural visual acuity was 20/20, the corneal epithelium had healed completely, and the limbal lesion had regressed markedly. The patient remained asymptomatic without recurrence during a 6-month follow-up.