Which condition is an intraepithelial corneal lesion?

Which condition is an intraepithelial corneal lesion?

• A. Thygeson's Superficial Punctate Keratopathy
• B. Bacterial keratitis
• C. Keratoconus
• D. Glaucoma

Answer: (A)

Intraepithelial lesions affect only the outermost corneal layer, the epithelium. Thygeson’s Superficial Punctate Keratopathy fits this pattern because it causes chronic, sterile surface disease with punctate epithelial erosions confined to the epithelium, often staining where the surface is disrupted, but without deeper stromal involvement. This distinguishes it from conditions that involve the stroma or deeper structures. Bacterial keratitis, for instance, shows stromal infiltration and possible ulceration with pain and photophobia; keratoconus is a thinning and cone-shaped deformation of the cornea primarily in the stroma; glaucoma is an optic neuropathy and does not present as a corneal epithelial lesion.

Intraepithelial lesions affect only the outermost corneal layer, the epithelium. Thygeson’s Superficial Punctate Keratopathy fits this pattern because it causes chronic, sterile surface disease with punctate epithelial erosions confined to the epithelium, often staining where the surface is disrupted, but without deeper stromal involvement. This distinguishes it from conditions that involve the stroma or deeper structures. Bacterial keratitis, for instance, shows stromal infiltration and possible ulceration with pain and photophobia; keratoconus is a thinning and cone-shaped deformation of the cornea primarily in the stroma; glaucoma is an optic neuropathy and does not present as a corneal epithelial lesion.