Limbal stem cell deficiency following topical mitomycin C treatment of conjunctival-corneal intraepithelial neoplasia

PURPOSE: To report a case of conjunctival-corneal intraepithelial neoplasia (CCIN) in an elderly African American patient treated with topical mitomycin C and the subsequent complication of limbal stem cell deficiency. DESIGN: Interventional case report. METHODS: A 92-year-old African American woman was diagnosed with CCIN in the right eye. Following incisional biopsy, the patient received five 1-week courses of 0.04% mitomycin C and was followed over a period of 10 months. RESULTS: The CCIN regressed completely following mitomycin C therapy. Three months later, the patient developed recurrent nonhealing epithelial defects in the right cornea. CONCLUSIONS: Conjunctival,corneal intraepithelial neoplasia may occur in the African American population. Although MMC is effective in eradicating CCIN, a limbal stem cell deficiency may complicate the treatment.