Abstract
Purpose:
To study the clinical findings and the risk factors for Recurrent Corneal Erosion Syndrome (RCES).
Methods:
We have examined a total of 100 patients (117 eyes) with the diagnosis of RCES at the ICQO Ophthalmological Institute (Bilbao, Spain). Studied data included demography, etiology, area of corneal damage and association with Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD).
Results:
The mean age of patients was 44.5 years (range 14-80). Attributed causes of RCES were: minor trauma (46 eyes, 39.3%), epithelial basement membrane corneal dystrophy (20 eyes, 17.1%), photorefractive keratectomy PRK (20 eyes, 17.1%), Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis LASIK (9 eyes, 7.7%) and of unknown origin (22 eyes, 18.8%). The most frequent site of RCES was the inferior paracentral cornea (50%), followed by the upper cornea (15%) and widespread location (15%). An association with MGD was found in 59% of patients.
Conclusions:
RCES may have various etiologies, which explains the variety in the clinical presentation of the disorder. Interestingly, a significant number of RCES patients initiate the symptoms of RCES following keratorefractive surgery, and a high percentage of patients also present with MGD. These findings cannot be explained on the basis of our current understanding of the physiopathology of RCES.
Keywords: 479 cornea: clinical science •
482 cornea: epithelium •
765 wound healing