𝘌𝘱𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵 Focal areas of loss of epithelial layer of the cornea
𝐂𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐬: ● Mechanical trauma (eg. fingernail scratch, foreign body, contact lens) ● Exposure (eg. Bell’s palsy, lagophthalmos, proptosis/ exophthalmos) ● Corneal dryness - Decreased tear production (eg. Sjogren’s syndrome, Vit A deficiency) ● Limbal stem cell deficiency (eg. Chemical burns, Ocular surgery, Chronic contact lens wear, Autoimmune diseases) ● Topical anaesthetic abuse ● Ulcers/ infection ● Neurotrophic Keratopathy (eg. Damage to the trigeminal nerve by HSV/HZV, Diabetes) 𝐒𝐲𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐬: Pain, tearing, foreign body sensation, reduced vision if present in the visual axis 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐠𝐧𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐲 𝐒𝐥𝐢𝐭 𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐩 𝐞𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Instillation of fluorescein dye → visualise with cobalt blue filter → fluorescein does not stain intact corneal epithelium → stains corneal stroma → demarcates area of epithelial loss Fingernail scratch- thin, linear defect Chemical burn- whole corneal surface Lid abnormalities/ lagophthalmos- inferior corneal defects 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: Frequent lubrication + topical antibiotics Bandage contact lenses Pressure patching Image from Rajan Eye Care Hospital #ophthalmology #ophthal #epidefect #cornea #doctor #health #medical #vision #education #optometry #medicalstudent #optometrist #medicine #eye #ophtho #ophthalmologist #ophthalmo #med #medicaleducation #ophthalmologyresident #ophthalmologyresidency
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