Recurrent corneal erosion syndrome (RCES): study of the epithelium with a high resolution optical coherence tomographer (HR OCT)

Session Details

Session Title: Presented Poster Session: Imaging Anterior Segment

Session Date/Time: Monday 07/09/2015 | 15:00-16:30

Paper Time: 15:00

Venue: Poster Village: Pod 4

First Author: : G.Baikoff FRANCE

Co Author(s): :    C. Aubert   L. Zeppini           

Abstract Details

Purpose:

The high resolution OCT (HR OCT) can measure the corneal epithelium with a ± 2µm precision. Epithelium disorders in recurrent erosions have been studied histologically and by using confocal microscopy, but to date no studies have been published concerning RCES.

Setting:

Clinique Monticelli, 88 rue du Cdt Rolland, 13008 Marseille, France

Methods:

40 eyes with RCES (23) and map-dot-fingerprint dystrophies (MDFPD - 17) were studied with the HR OCT before and after phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK).

Results:

HR OCT can explore either cuts of the cornea or global epithelial pachymetry mapping. In all the cases of RCES an abnormal focal zone of epithelial thickening was observed related to the micro epithelial inclusion areas when they are visible. In MDFPD, the aspect of the epithelial mapping is very irregular and quite different. 3 to 6 months after PTK, we notice a “normalization” of the epithelium in both diseases.

Conclusions:

the diagnosis of RCES is sometimes clinically difficult to assess because the epithelial micro-inclusions are not visible, however, in every case the HR OCT epithelial mapping shows focal abnormalities due to the poor adhesion of the epithelium in these areas. The HR OCT therefore helps to confirm the diagnosis of idiopathic recurrent erosions once the cornea has healed after the acute pain attacks and the epithelium looks clinically healthy.

Financial Interest:

NONE