Key Concepts Early diagnosis and aggressive treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is imperative for the prevention of substantial disability and increased mortality. Extra articular manifestations of RA including ocular diseases are often found late in the disease course and are…
Key Concepts Factitious keratoconjunctivitis is an uncommon and difficult diagnosis to make. It can often be missed if not included in the differential diagnosis of any case in which the trauma sustained arises under suspicious or poorly explained circumstances. Injury…
Key Concepts Corneal sensation should be assessed in any poorly healing cornea. Topical anesthetic abuse should be considered if no other cause is found. Careful and close follow-up is essential. Lid defects should be corrected early. Removal of toxins such…
Key Concepts Superficial punctate keratitis of Thygeson (SPKT) is characterized by a long course of exacerbations and remissions. Clinical findings include multiple fine, elevated, white to gray, central corneal dot-like opacities. The conjunctiva is usually quiet. During exacerbations, the elevated…
Key Concepts Filamentary keratitis is an ocular surface disease characterized by the presence of filamentous material attached to the corneal surface. The development of filaments is multifactorial and can be associated with various ocular surface diseases, most notably dry eye…
Key Concepts Interstitial keratitis (IK) is a rare but potentially blinding disease. Telling symptoms of IK are nonulcerating inflammation and vascularization of the corneal stroma, notably without primary involvement of either the epithelium or the endothelium. IK is a common…
Key Concepts Syphilis is a cause of stromal keratitis. Syphilitic keratitis is often bilateral in children with late congenital syphilis but unilateral in adults with late latent syphilis. Corneal opacification with neovascularization, iridoschisis, and secondary glaucoma are possible consequences. Diagnostic…
Key Concepts Corneal diseases are a major cause of unilateral as well as bilateral blindness. The magnitude of corneal blindness is highest in countries of Asia and Africa. Causes vary between adults and children, and also between developed and developing…
Key Concepts Acanthamoeba keratitis is the most common exogenous parasitic infection of the cornea in the United States with the significantly greatest risk seen in contact lens wearers of all types. Acanthamoeba keratitis has a wide spectrum of clinical presentations…
Key Concepts Fungi are eukaryotic, unicellular (yeasts) and multicellular (filamentous) microorganisms, ubiquitous in nature. They acquire food and nutrition by feeding on biotic (living tissue) or abiotic (dead tissue, plant debris). Few, if any, fungi can penetrate intact corneal tissue.…