Skip to main content
PMC home page
The British Journal of Ophthalmology logoLink to The British Journal of Ophthalmology
. 1998 Jan;82(1):26–28. doi: 10.1136/bjo.82.1.26

Natural history of recurrent erosion syndrome—a 4 year review of 117 patients

P Heyworth 1, N Morlet 1, S Rayner 1, P Hykin 1, J Dart 1
PMCID: PMC1722350  PMID: 9536875

Abstract

AIMS/BACKGROUND—Recurrent erosion syndrome encompasses a group of mixed aetiologies for which there are a number of methods of management which may influence the course of the disease.
METHODS—The outcomes of a cohort of patients initially treated with topical lubricants were studied. 117 consecutive patients presenting over 1 year with a history of recurrent erosions were enrolled, baseline characteristics were documented, and treatment with lubricants was initiated. Patients were surveyed 4 years later inquiring about symptoms and treatments required.
RESULTS—A total of 94 (80%) of the initial cohort were contacted. The mean age was 44 years and the sex distribution was 44 males to 50 females. The mean period of follow up was 48 months. 55 (59%) were still symptomatic with attacks occurring at a median frequency of 60 days. 13 patients (24%) complained of an episode at least every week and 28 patients (51%) suffered at least every month. The median pain score (analogue scale of 1-10) was 2.5. Seventy five per cent (n=21) of patients with epithelial basement membrane dystrophy (EBMD) were symptomatic compared with those with a traumatic aetiology among whom 46% (n=28) were symptomatic. This difference was significant (p=0.02). Those with EBMD were more likely to be continuing to use topical lubricants than the trauma group.
CONCLUSION—Patients with a traumatic aetiology are less likely to suffer chronic recurrent erosion syndrome than those with EBMD.

 Keywords: recurrent erosion syndrome; aetiology; chronicity

Full Text

The Full Text of this article is available as a PDF (82.9 KB).

Figure 1  .

Figure 1  

Open in a new tab

The numbers of patients in Hykin's original classification. The numbers contacted for this survey are shown in parentheses. The new survey group classification is also shown. EBMD = epithelial basement membrane dystrophy.

Figure 2  .

Figure 2  

Open in a new tab

The frequency (perceived not recorded) of attacks for the EBMD and trauma groups. There was no statistical difference in the frequencies between the two groups.

Figure 3  .

Figure 3  

Open in a new tab

Pain scores (analogue scale 0-10) for the two groups. There was no statistical difference in the scores between the two groups.

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Bernauer W., De Cock R., Dart J. K. Phototherapeutic keratectomy in recurrent corneal erosions refractory to other forms of treatment. Eye (Lond) 1996;10(Pt 5):561–564. doi: 10.1038/eye.1996.130. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Brown N., Bron A. Recurrent erosion of the cornea. Br J Ophthalmol. 1976 Feb;60(2):84–96. doi: 10.1136/bjo.60.2.84. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Buxton J. N., Constad W. H. Superficial epithelial keratectomy in the treatment of epithelial basement membrane dystrophy. Cornea. 1987;6(4):292–297. doi: 10.1097/00003226-198706040-00012. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Buxton J. N., Fox M. L. Superficial epithelial keratectomy in the treatment of epithelial basement membrane dystrophy. A preliminary report. Arch Ophthalmol. 1983 Mar;101(3):392–395. doi: 10.1001/archopht.1983.01040010392008. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Geggel H. S. Successful treatment of recurrent corneal erosion with Nd:YAG anterior stromal puncture. Am J Ophthalmol. 1990 Oct 15;110(4):404–407. doi: 10.1016/s0002-9394(14)77021-7. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Goldman J. N., Dohlman C. H., Kravitt B. A. The basement membrane of the human cornea in recurrent epithelial erosion syndrome. Trans Am Acad Ophthalmol Otolaryngol. 1969 May-Jun;73(3):471–481. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Hykin P. G., Foss A. E., Pavesio C., Dart J. K. The natural history and management of recurrent corneal erosion: a prospective randomised trial. Eye (Lond) 1994;8(Pt 1):35–40. doi: 10.1038/eye.1994.6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. JACKSON H. Effect of eye-pads on healing of simple corneal abrasions. Br Med J. 1960 Sep 3;2(5200):713–713. doi: 10.1136/bmj.2.5200.713. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. McLean E. N., MacRae S. M., Rich L. F. Recurrent erosion. Treatment by anterior stromal puncture. Ophthalmology. 1986 Jun;93(6):784–788. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Ohman L., Fagerholm P., Tengroth B. Treatment of recurrent corneal erosions with the excimer laser. Acta Ophthalmol (Copenh) 1994 Aug;72(4):461–463. doi: 10.1111/j.1755-3768.1994.tb02797.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Rubinfeld R. S., Laibson P. R., Cohen E. J., Arentsen J. J., Eagle R. C., Jr Anterior stromal puncture for recurrent erosion: further experience and new instrumentation. Ophthalmic Surg. 1990 May;21(5):318–326. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. Tripathi R. C., Bron A. J. Ultrastructural study of non-traumatic recurrent corneal erosion. Br J Ophthalmol. 1972 Feb;56(2):73–85. doi: 10.1136/bjo.56.2.73. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. Williams R., Buckley R. J. Pathogenesis and treatment of recurrent erosion. Br J Ophthalmol. 1985 Jun;69(6):435–437. doi: 10.1136/bjo.69.6.435. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from The British Journal of Ophthalmology are provided here courtesy of BMJ Publishing Group

RESOURCES