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Fleischer ring

AI overview

Fleischer rings are pigmented rings in the peripheral cornea resulting from iron deposition in basal epithelial cells in the form of hemosiderin.

Key points
  • Fleischer rings result from iron deposition in basal epithelial cells as hemosiderin
    source quote
    in basal epithelial cells, in the form of hemosiderin
  • They are usually yellowish to dark-brown and may be complete or broken
    source quote
    They are usually yellowish to dark-brown, and may be complete or broken
  • Best visualized using slit lamp under cobalt blue filter
    source quote
    The rings are best seen using the slit lamp under cobalt blue filter
  • Named after Bruno Fleischer
    source quote
    They are named for Bruno Fleischer
  • Indicative of keratoconus, a degenerative corneal condition
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    Fleischer rings are indicative of keratoconus
  • Must be distinguished from Kayser–Fleischer rings which are caused by copper deposits and indicate Wilson's disease
    source quote
    Kayser–Fleischer rings are caused by copper deposits in descemet's membrane of cornea, and are indicative of Wilson's disease
Symptoms
  • Yellowish to dark-brown pigmented rings that may be complete or broken
    source quote
    They are usually yellowish to dark-brown, and may be complete or broken
Diagnosis
  • Best seen using slit lamp under cobalt blue filter
    source quote
    The rings are best seen using the slit lamp under cobalt blue filter
Red flags
  • Indicative of keratoconus, a degenerative condition causing corneal thinning and conic shape change
    source quote
    a degenerative corneal condition that causes the cornea to thin and change to a conic shape
  • Confusion with Kayser–Fleischer rings must be avoided as they indicate Wilson's disease
    source quote
    Kayser–Fleischer rings are caused by copper deposits in descemet's membrane of cornea, and are indicative of Wilson's disease
AI-synthesized from the Wikipedia article “Fleischer ring”. Not medical advice. Verify source →
Fleischer ring
Fleischer ring in keratoconus, by Mahmoud et al., 2022.[1]
Differential diagnosiskeratoconus

Fleischer rings are pigmented rings in the peripheral cornea, resulting from iron deposition[2] in basal epithelial cells, in the form of hemosiderin.[3] They are usually yellowish to dark-brown, and may be complete or broken.[4] The rings are best seen using the slit lamp under cobalt blue filter.[4]They are named for Bruno Fleischer.[5]

Fleischer rings are indicative of keratoconus,[6] a degenerative corneal condition that causes the cornea to thin and change to a conic shape.


Some confusion exists between Fleischer rings and Kayser–Fleischer rings. Kayser–Fleischer rings are caused by copper deposits in descemet's membrane of cornea, and are indicative of Wilson's disease, whereas Fleischer rings are caused by iron deposits in basal epithelial cells. One example of a medical condition that can present with Fleischer rings is keratoconus.[citation needed]

  1. Mahmoud, Mohamed Magdy Ibrahim; Hamdy, Alaa Mohamed; Mohamed, Ashraf Bori; Diaa El Din, Yasmine Ahmed (2022-07-01). "An Updated Overview of Keratoconus Management: Review Article". The Egyptian Journal of Hospital Medicine. 88 (1). Egypts Presidential Specialized Council for Education and Scientific Research: 2777–2780. doi:10.21608/ejhm.2022.241951. ISSN 2090-7125. S2CID 249531881.
  2. "Cornea & External Diseases-Keratoconus Fleischer's Ring". Archived from the original on 2009-02-10. Retrieved 2008-10-24.
  3. "Definition: Fleischer's ring from Online Medical Dictionary". Retrieved 2008-10-24.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  4. 1 2 "Fleischer's Ring | Columbia Ophthalmology". 2021-01-12. Archived from the original on 2021-01-12. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
  5. Fleischer, B (1906). "Über Keratokonus und eigenartige Pigmentbildung in der Kornea". Münchener medizinische Wochenschrift. 53: 625–626.
  6. Hiratsuka Y, Nakayasu K, Kanai A (2000). "Secondary keratoconus with corneal epithelial iron ring similar to Fleischer's ring". Japanese Journal of Ophthalmology. 44 (4): 381–6. doi:10.1016/S0021-5155(00)00179-9. PMID 10974294.