Bullous keratopathy

Bullous keratopathy, also known as pseudophakic bullous keratopathy (PBK), is a pathological condition in which small vesicles, or bullae, are formed in the cornea due to endothelial dysfunction.

Bullous keratopathy
Other namesPseudophakic bullous keratopathy (PBK)
Bullous keratopathy is a condition that occurs in the cornea
SpecialtyOphthalmology Edit this on Wikidata

In a healthy cornea, endothelial cells keeps the tissue from excess fluid absorption, pumping it back into the aqueous humor. When affected by some reason, such as Fuchs' dystrophy or a trauma during cataract removal, endothelial cells suffer mortality or damage.[1] The corneal endothelial cells normally do not undergo mitotic cell division, and cell loss results in permanent loss of function. When endothelial cell counts drop too low, the pump starts failing to function and fluid moves anterior into the stroma and epithelium. The excess fluid precipitates swelling of the cornea. As fluid accumulates between the basal epithelium cells, blister like formations form (bullae) and they undergo painful ruptures releasing their fluid content to the surface. These characteristic malformations disrupt vision and create pain sensations.

Symptoms

Disease begins with vesicles that coalesce. There is severe progressing edema and rupture may occur in 24 hours or less.[2]

Treatment

Treatment can include hyperosmotic eye drops to reduce swelling (5% sodium chloride), bandage contact lenses to reduce discomfort, glaucoma medications to reduce the flow of fluid into the cornea, and surgical procedures . The most common types of surgical treatment are Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) and Descemet's membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK).[1]

Prognosis

Keratopathy is common in older people. Keratopathy occurs after cataract surgery, its incidence has decreased since the advent of intraoperative viscoelastic agents that protect the endothelium.[3]

References
  1. Stuart AJ, Virgili G, Shortt AJ (2016). "Descemet's membrane endothelial keratoplasty versus Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty for corneal endothelial failure". Cochrane Database Syst Rev (3): CD012097. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD012097.
  2. "Eye Vet - Zigler Veterinary Professional Corporation". Eyevet.ca. Archived from the original on 17 November 2016. Retrieved 9 July 2018.
  3. "Ocular Pathology: Bullous Keratopathy of the Cornea". Missionforvisionusa.org. Retrieved 9 July 2018.


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