D J Tanzer1, R E Smith. 1. Cornea Service, Doheny Eye Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To report the extended clinical course of a case of superficial punctate keratitis of Thygeson. METHODS: A 59-year-old woman with a 40-year history of superficial punctate keratitis of Thygeson is presented, providing a forum to discuss the chronicity of the disease, its treatment, and the potential complications. RESULTS: Our patient has been treated over the years with mild topical corticosteroids, usually with favorable results. Given the chronicity of superficial punctate keratitis of Thygeson, long-term treatment with topical corticosteroids carries the possible side effects of iatrogenic cataract formation and steroid-induced glaucoma, neither of which was seen in our patient. CONCLUSIONS: Superficial punctate keratitis of Thygeson is usually a benign, self-limited disease with exacerbations and remissions. Ophthalmologists must exercise care when using long-term corticosteroid treatment in this condition.
PURPOSE: To report the extended clinical course of a case of superficial punctate keratitis of Thygeson. METHODS: A 59-year-old woman with a 40-year history of superficial punctate keratitis of Thygeson is presented, providing a forum to discuss the chronicity of the disease, its treatment, and the potential complications. RESULTS: Our patient has been treated over the years with mild topical corticosteroids, usually with favorable results. Given the chronicity of superficial punctate keratitis of Thygeson, long-term treatment with topical corticosteroids carries the possible side effects of iatrogenic cataract formation and steroid-induced glaucoma, neither of which was seen in our patient. CONCLUSIONS: Superficial punctate keratitis of Thygeson is usually a benign, self-limited disease with exacerbations and remissions. Ophthalmologists must exercise care when using long-term corticosteroid treatment in this condition.
Authors: Paul P Connell; James O'Reilly; Suzie Coughlan; Louis M T Collum; William J Power Journal: Br J Ophthalmol Date: 2007-03-27 Impact factor: 4.638