What does punctate keratitis mean?

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). The eyes become red, watery, and sensitive to light, and vision may decrease somewhat.

Is punctate keratitis?

Superficial punctate keratitis is corneal inflammation of diverse causes characterized by scattered, fine, punctate corneal epithelial loss or damage. Symptoms are redness, lacrimation, photophobia, and slightly decreased vision. Diagnosis is by slit-lamp examination. Treatment depends on the cause.

What does punctate keratitis look like?

Described in 1950 by Phillips Thygeson in a case report series, Thygeson’s superficial punctate keratitis (TSPK) is an insidious, chronic and recurrent disorder, characterized by small and elevated oval corneal intraepithelial, whitish-gray opacities, extending to the entire anterior surface of the cornea of both eyes.

Is punctate epithelial erosions serious?

Corneal involvement can be as mild as punctate epithelial erosions or as severe as frank ulceration that may lead to perforation. A number of bacterial agents that can cause conjunctivitis may penetrate an intact corneal epithelium.

How do you treat punctate epithelial erosions?

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.

Is thygeson’s an autoimmune disease?

Thygeson’s superficial punctate keratitis (TSPK) is a chronic, bilateral epithelial keratitis. Dr Philips Thygeson first reported TSPK in 1950. Although the etiology of TSPK remains unknown, it has been reported to be associated with viral and autoimmune pathologies.

How rare is TSPK?

Although TSPK was originally described as a bilateral process, 32% of patients reported unilateral TSPK, versus 20% in a previous study [1]. However, Nagra et al.

What does punctate staining mean?

Punctate staining is an important sign of dry eye disease and ocular surface irritation. These fluorescent spots have been considered toxic,72–74 infiltrative, and even infectious events.