Pediatric ocular tuberculosis: a case report of complex clinical manifestations and its successful management

Ocular tuberculosis in children poses significant visual risks and exhibits distinct characteristics compared to adults, necessitating careful diagnosis and management. This case illustration presents a 10-year-old girl with intermittent redness in her left eye. Despite initial treatment, her condition worsened, leading to blurred vision. She was diagnosed with ocular tuberculosis complicated by phlyctenular conjunctivitis, interstitial keratitis, diffuse anterior scleritis, anterior uveitis, and neuroretinitis. Antituberculosis therapy was initiated alongside corticosteroids and neuroprotective treatment. The patient showed significant improvement within one month and achieved full resolution after two months of treatment. Ocular tuberculosis in children, it often accompanies extrapulmonary tuberculosis and can lead to significant complications. Additionally, children tend to exhibit a heightened inflammatory response to ocular tuberculosis, necessitating more aggressive corticosteroid therapy to manage the condition effectively.