Key Concepts The epithelial corneal dystrophies each have distinguishing morphologic features that allow for accurate clinical diagnosis. Epithelial basement membrane corneal dystrophy (EBMD; map-dot-fingerprint dystrophy) is the most common anterior dystrophy. While some cases are familial, EBMD is considered to…
Key Concepts Corneal dystrophies have classically referred to inherited, bilateral disease without systemic findings, but there are many exceptions to this definition. Epithelial basement membrane dystrophy is most likely a degenerative diseases and is rarely inherited. Corneal dystrophy categories indicate…
Key Concepts The topical preservative benzalkonium chloride may cause mild to severe ocular surface toxicity. Anesthetic abuse keratopathy includes persistent epithelial defects, ring-shaped infiltrates, and ultimately corneal perforation, even with dilute concentrations for a short duration. Delayed wound healing can…
Key Concepts The prevalence of chronic ocular graft-versus-host disease (oGVHD) may be rising due to the increased number of cases of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantations (HSCT) performed to treat malignancies. oGVHD is an immune-mediated disease of the ocular surface…
Key Concepts Human immunodeficiency virus has been identified in tears, cornea, and conjunctiva, but to date there have been no reports of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission in the practice of ophthalmology. There is a broad spectrum of corneal and…
Key Concepts New, emerging diseases frequently have ocular findings. Although most findings are not pathognomonic, ophthalmologists should be aware of these diseases. Many infectious diseases are more frequently seen in travelers or patients from certain geographic areas. History, including country…
Key Concepts The clinician should remember to “think skin” in patients with chronic eyelid/anterior segment ocular disease. Patients with severe psoriasis may benefit from dedicated, interval eye exams. Rosacea is often overlooked as an important cause of ocular disease. Bioassays…
Key Concepts Diabetes mellitus affects all layers of the cornea, both morphologically and biochemically. The epithelium of diabetics is more prone to damage and recurrent erosions and exhibits delayed healing compared with nondiabetics. Diabetes changes the biomechanical properties of the…
Key Concepts Severe anemia can be detected when discontinuous blood columns are present within the bulbar conjunctival vasculature. β-thalassemia is associated with a decreased tear break-up time and Schirmer testing. Sludging and segmentation of the conjunctival blood vessels (comma sign)…
Key Concepts Vitamin A deficiency is the most important nutritional disorder with respect to the cornea clinically. It is predominantly a disease affecting the poor in developing nations. In the cornea, Vitamin A deficiency is characterized by the presence of…