What is punctate epithelial keratitis?
The punctate epithelial keratitis (PEK) is a distinct clinical entity characterized by coarse, raised intraepithelial lesions surrounded by focal inflammatory cells, with punctate staining as well as areas of negative staining on fluorescein. PEK is often a clinical picture common to various cornea pathologies.
What causes punctate epithelial erosions?
Punctate epithelial erosions are associated with the following: viral keratitis, especially molluscum contagiosum; inclusion conjunctivitis; herpetic keratitis/postinfectious herpetic keratitis; rubeola and rubella; keratitis sicca; exposure keratitis; vernal conjunctivitis; topical steroids; and vaccinia.
How is thygeson’s keratitis treated?
The most common treatment of Thygeson’s keratitis is corticosteroids. Dr. Freund said his first approach to Thygeson’s keratitis is a short trial of corticosteroids, but if there is no indication the condition is starting to resolve after a few weeks, he will turn to the cyclosporine solution.
Can dry eyes cause keratitis?
Keratitis, the eye condition in which the cornea becomes inflamed, has many potential causes. Various types of infections, dry eyes, abnormalities of the eyelids, injury, and a large variety of underlying medical diseases may all lead to keratitis. Some cases of keratitis result from unknown factors.
What is an epithelial defect?
Corneal epithelial defects are focal areas of epithelial (outermost corneal layer) loss; they can be due to mechanical trauma, corneal dryness, neurotrophic disease, post surgical changes, infection, or any other of a variety of etiologies.
What causes thygeson keratitis?
The pathophysiology of TSPK remains unknown. Both, viral and immunologic mechanisms have been implicated. Adenovirus, herpes simplex virus, and varicella zoster virus, have all been implicated as a possible causes of the disease.
Is keratitis an emergency?
The inflammation extends into the chamber at the front of the eye also. Microbial keratitis is a sight-threatening emergency, so such patients should be referred immediately to the ophthalmologist.
What kind of eye disorder is superficial punctate keratitis?
Topic Resources. Superficial punctate keratitis is an eye disorder caused by death of small groups of cells on the surface of the cornea (the clear layer in front of the iris and pupil).
How is Thygeson’s superficial punctate keratitis treated?
Characteristic remissions and exacerbations of tearing, foreign body sensation, and photophobia over several years. The conjunctiva is not involved. Mild symptoms may be treated with simple lubricants. Low dose corticosteroids and topical cyclosporine are usually effective to reduce the duration of the recurrence.
What are the symptoms of punctate keratopathy?
PUNCTATE KERATOPATHY Punctate or spotty lesions of the superficial cornea present in numerous ocular conditions and are a frequent cause of confusion with respect to aetiology and effective management. This confusion is related to the similar clinical appearance of many corneal opacities encoun- tered in vastly different entities.
How is the diagnosis of superficial keratopathy made?
The diversity of both clinical presentation and morpho- logical appearance requires a systematic approach to the identification and management of these superfinal corneal changes. Accurate diagnosis of superficial keratopathy requires skilful observation to seek the most characteristic