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Punctate epithelial erosions

AI overview

Punctate epithelial erosions are a pathology affecting the cornea.

Key points
  • It is characterized by a breakdown or damage of the epithelium of the cornea in a pinpoint pattern
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    It is a characterized by a breakdown or damage of the epithelium of the cornea in a pinpoint pattern
  • It can be seen with examination with a slit-lamp
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    which can be seen with examination with a slit-lamp
  • Proper diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis can only be determined by an eye care professional
    source quote
    proper diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis can only be determined by an eye care professional
Symptoms
  • Patients may present with red eye
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    red eye
  • Patients may present with tearing
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    tearing
  • Patients may present with foreign body sensation
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    foreign body sensation
  • Patients may present with photophobia
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    photophobia
  • Patients may present with burning
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    burning
Diagnosis
  • Diagnosis is by slit lamp examination
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    Slit lamp examination
Treatment
  • May be treated with artificial tears
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    Punctate epithelial erosions may be treated with artificial tears
  • In some disorders, topical antibiotic is added to the treatment
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    In some disorders, topical antibiotic is added to the treatment
  • Patients should discontinue contact lens wear until recovery
    source quote
    Patients should discontinue contact lens wear until recovery
AI-synthesized from the Wikipedia article “Punctate epithelial erosions”. Not medical advice. Verify source →
Punctate epithelial erosions
Other namesPunctate erosive keratopathy or Superficial punctate keratitis
This condition affects the cornea
SpecialtyOphthalmology

Punctate epithelial erosions are a pathology affecting the cornea.

It is a characterized by a breakdown or damage of the epithelium of the cornea in a pinpoint pattern, which can be seen with examination with a slit-lamp. Patients may present with non-specific symptoms such as red eye, tearing, foreign body sensation, photophobia and burning.[citation needed]

Punctate epithelial erosions may be seen with different disorders:[citation needed]

Slit lamp examination[citation needed]

Due to the different underlying causes, proper diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis can only be determined by an eye care professional. Punctate epithelial erosions may be treated with artificial tears. In some disorders, topical antibiotic is added to the treatment. Patients should discontinue contact lens wear until recovery.[citation needed]

  1. Yanoff, Myron; Duker, Jay S. (2008). Ophthalmology (3rd ed.). Edinburgh: Mosby. p. 227. ISBN 978-0323057516.