Superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis
Encyclopedia
Superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis is an ocular surface disease characterized by episodes of recurrent inflammation of the superior cornea
and limbus
, as well as of the superior tarsal and bulbar conjunctiva
.
Even though the pathophysiology remains unclear, it is thought that mechanical trauma from tight upper lids or loose redundant conjunctiva
could lead to the disruption of normal epithelium
. This mechanical hypothesis is supported by the increased lid apposition of exophthalmic thyroid patients, who are known to have an increased incidence of superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis.
Patients present with red eye, burning, tearing, foreign body sensation, mild photophobia
. Inflammation and thickening of the conjunctiva is observed, especially at the limbus.
Lubrication is an effective treatment for this pathology.
Cornea
The cornea is the transparent front part of the eye that covers the iris, pupil, and anterior chamber. Together with the lens, the cornea refracts light, with the cornea accounting for approximately two-thirds of the eye's total optical power. In humans, the refractive power of the cornea is...
and limbus
Limbus
Limbus may refer to:* Limbu people, a ethnic group in Asia, an indigenous ethnic group of Nepal.* Corneal limbus* Limbus , a Swedish punk rock band* Limbo, the temporary status of the souls of good persons who died but did not go to Heaven...
, as well as of the superior tarsal and bulbar conjunctiva
Conjunctiva
The conjunctiva covers the sclera and lines the inside of the eyelids. It is composed of rare stratified columnar epithelium.-Function:...
.
Even though the pathophysiology remains unclear, it is thought that mechanical trauma from tight upper lids or loose redundant conjunctiva
Conjunctiva
The conjunctiva covers the sclera and lines the inside of the eyelids. It is composed of rare stratified columnar epithelium.-Function:...
could lead to the disruption of normal epithelium
Epithelium
Epithelium is one of the four basic types of animal tissue, along with connective tissue, muscle tissue and nervous tissue. Epithelial tissues line the cavities and surfaces of structures throughout the body, and also form many glands. Functions of epithelial cells include secretion, selective...
. This mechanical hypothesis is supported by the increased lid apposition of exophthalmic thyroid patients, who are known to have an increased incidence of superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis.
Patients present with red eye, burning, tearing, foreign body sensation, mild photophobia
Photophobia
Photophobia is a symptom of abnormal intolerance to visual perception of light. As a medical symptom photophobia is not a morbid fear or phobia, but an experience of discomfort or pain to the eyes due to light exposure or by presence of actual physical photosensitivity of the eyes, though the term...
. Inflammation and thickening of the conjunctiva is observed, especially at the limbus.
Lubrication is an effective treatment for this pathology.