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Presentation type	E-poster
Title	Senile Scleromalacia: A Not So Benign Condition?

Purpose	To present a rare case of severe senile scleromalacia and to discuss its diagnosis, management and outcome.
Methods	A 78-year-old male presented with bilateral scleral plaques. The outcome of conservative and surgical management is described.
Results	Slit-lamp examination revealed sharply defined scleral plaques with calcification, conjunctival erosion, and thinned underlying sclera. Exclusion of rheumatological and paraneoplastic origins led to a diagnosis of senile scleromalacia. Initial conservative treatments with autologous serum and antibiotic drops were unsuccessful, necessitating surgery. Surgical excision of plaques revealed extremely thin sclera in some areas, with one area showing absence of underlying sclera and exposed uveal tissue. Reconstruction using a donor scleral patch combined with and an autologous conjunctival flap was successful. Histopathology confirmed calcifying plaques.
Conclusion	This case illustrates that senile scleromalacia, typically considered a benign condition, can lead to significant complications such as exposed uveal tissue and risk of scleral perforation. Early surgical intervention may be necessary in these severe cases to prevent vision-threatening complications.
Conflict of interest	No
Details of conflicting interests	/

Authors 1

Last name	BOURDEAUD'HUY
Initials	L
Department	Department of Ophthalmology, Ghent University Hospital, Belgium
City	Ghent

Authors 2

Last name	Cordier
Initials	F
Department	Dpt of Pathological Anatomy, Ghent University Hospital, Belgium
City	Ghent

Authors 3

Last name	Van Dorpe
Initials	J
Department	Dpt of Pathological Anatomy, Ghent University Hospital, Belgium
City	Ghent

Authors 4

Last name	Roels
Initials	D
Department	Department of Ophthalmology, Ghent University Hospital, Belgium
City	Ghent