Signs and Symptoms

It is a characterized by a breakdown or damage of the epithelium of the cornea in a pinpoint pattern, which can be seen with examination with a slit-lamp. Patients may present with non-specific symptoms such as red eye, tearing, foreign body sensation, photophobia and burning.

Etiology

Punctate epithelial erosions may be seen with different disorders:

Dry-eye syndrome

Blepharitis

Trauma

Exposure keratopathy from poor eyelide closure

Ultraviolet or chemical burn

Contact lens-related disorder such as toxicity or tight lens syndrome

Trichiasis

Entropion or ectropion

Floppy eyelid syndrome

Chemotherapy i.e cytosine arabinoside

Thygeson's Superficial Punctate Keratopathy (TSPK)

Treatment

Due to the many potential underlying causes, proper diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis can only be determined by an eye care professional. 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.