Recurrent Corneal Erosion

While the disease belongs to a group of ocular herpes disorders, it warrants a separate chapter in view of its prevalence and often being underdiagnosed.

Recurrent corneal erosion is more common in women.

The disease usually develops as a result of injury to the corneal surface with organic foreign bodies (tree branches, nails, paper, etc.). However, it can manifest without prior damage. For example, a combination of stress and hormone imbalance of various origin (abortion, delivery, in vitro fertilization, periods, etc.) can be a trigger.

Recurrent corneal erosion has distinct symptoms. The onset is usually sudden with patients waking up at night with sharp ocular pain and excessive tearing. Sometimes the symptoms develop in the morning, upon patients opening their eyes. Recurrences are frequent, and they often lead to mental breakdown.

A. Pur Akbarian, who defended his dissertation under the supervision of E.A. Kasparova in 2010, showed that the origin can be traced back to herpes in 53% of cases.

Fortunately, the disease responds to treatment well. Combined antiviral treatment (Poludan + Acyclovir) and tissue therapy (Solcoseryl, etc.) decrease both the severity and frequency of recurrence.

Phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) effectively combats the consequences of recurrent erosion — corneal opacities and irregularities, as well as the focus of infection itself, herpes- affected epithelium. However, complete recovery also requires repeated antiherpetic vaccination.