MOOREN'S serpiginous corneal ulcer is a clinical entity of unknown etiology first reported by Bowman1 in 1849. Mooren1-3 is credited with recognizing the features of the disease which distinguish it from other types of corneal ulceration. Although a rare corneal disease, several clinical papers have appeared in the literature.1,2 Nettleship reported a large series of cases in 1902.1 Since this report, very little has been added to further delineate this problem.
Mooren's ulcer is a chronic, progressive, superficial corneal erosion which begins as a narrow crescentric corneal infiltrate just inside the limbus and spreads both circumferentially (in "serpiginous" manner) and centrally.1,3 The characteristic gross features of the ulceration are an "overhanging lip" of the central margin, involvement of the anterior corneal layers, and the minimal cicatricial reaction. The conjunctiva and sclera are not involved in the ulcerative process. Perforation of the cornea is rare. Hypopyon