Corneal Copper Deposition Associated With Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

• Published in: American journal of ophthalmology Vol. 142; no. 1; pp. 174 - 176
• Main Authors: Aldave, Anthony J., King, Julie A., Kim, Brian T., Hopp, Lawrence
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.07.2006; Elsevier; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Ceruloplasmin - analysis; Copper; Copper - metabolism; Corneal Opacity - diagnosis; Corneal Opacity - metabolism; Descemet Membrane - metabolism; Descemet Membrane - pathology; Female; Hematologic and hematopoietic diseases; Humans; Leukemia; Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell - diagnosis; Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell - metabolism; Leukemias. Malignant lymphomas. Malignant reticulosis. Myelofibrosis; Medical research; Medical sciences; Microscopy, Confocal; Miscellaneous; Ophthalmology; Vision Disorders - diagnosis; Chronic; Cornea; Chronic lymphocytic leukemia; Association; Lymphoproliferative syndrome; Malignant hemopathy; Ophthalmology; Copper; Deposition
• ISSN: 0002-9394; 1879-1891
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ajo.2006.01.078

To report a case of corneal copper deposition associated with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Case report. A 65-year-old woman with a history of CLL was diagnosed with bilateral corneal opacification. Slit-lamp examination revealed dense, central yellow-brown pigmentation of Descemet’s membrane in each cornea. The presence of a bilateral pigmented deposition at the level of Descemet’s membrane led to a presumptive clinical diagnosis of corneal copper deposition. Serologic investigations revealed a markedly elevated copper (hypercupremia) and IgG levels with a normal ceruloplasmin. Wilson’s disease was excluded as a possible cause based on liver function tests and a liver biopsy. Thus, the patient was diagnosed with corneal copper deposition secondary to hypercupremia associated with CLL. Corneal copper deposition may be associated with systemic malignancy, most commonly myeloproliferative disorders, including CLL. Recognition of the characteristic clinical features associated with corneal copper deposition allows the clinician to confirm the diagnosis with appropriate serologic studies.