Exposure Keratopathy

Exposure Keratopathy
		SYMPTOMS	Tearing \| Foreign body sensation \| Pain \| Intermittent blurry vision \| Usually worse in the morning
		SIGNS	Injection \| Incomplete/partial blinking \| Punctate epitheliopathy in the lower portion of the cornea \| Possible ulceration
		WORK-UP	Thorough history. Slit lamp examination with NaFl dye
		TREATMENT	Frequent preservative-free artificial tears \| Lubricating gel/ointment at night \| Punctal plugs \| Bandage contact lenses \| Amniotic membrane \| Lid surgery
		FOLLOW-UP	Every couple of days if severe \| Every 1-2 weeks if mild
		ADDITIONAL LAB \| TESTS	None
		ETIOLOGY	A number of causes may lead to EK, including: Bell’s Palsy \| Ectropion \| Lagophthalmos \| Surgery \| Proptosis
		DIFFERENTIAL DX	Dry eye syndrome \| Blepharitis \| Punctate epitheliopathy
		NOTES	In severe cases, EK may lead to corneal ulceration, scarring, and vision loss