[Clinical analyses of 21 cases of Thygeson's superficial punctate keratitis]

To study the clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of Thygeson's superficial punctate keratitis (TSPK).

Twenty-one cases diagnosed as TSPK between June 2010 and July 2013 were retrospectively analyzed, including clinical manifestation, characteristics of morphological changes imaged by laser confocal microscopy, treatment and therapeutic effects.

All the 21 cases had the same presentation. Slit lamp examination showed several rough punctate intraepithelial opacities, which were usually slightly above the niveau of the surrounding epithelium. No cases had conjunctival congestions. Eight eyes of five patients with TSPK were imaged with a laser confocal biomicroscope. Clusters of highly reflective dots were revealed in the epithelium. The number of Langerhans cells was greatly increased in the basal cell layer of the focal corneal epithelium and the Bowman's layer in ten eyes affected by TSPK. The density of the subepithelial nerve plexus decreased. Some keratocytes had highly reflective cell bodies of irregular size, orientation, and shape in the anterior stroma in the affected eyes. After treatment with low concentration steroid eye drops and antiviral drugs, punctate opacities in all 21 cases were completely absorbed, leaving no scar, and the cure rate was 100%. But TSPK recurred in four cases. All recurrent cases were cured completely after treatment.

Thygeson's superficial punctate keratitis is a kind of chronic recurrent superficial keratitis, without conjunctivitis. Confocal microscopic images have certain specificity, help diagnose and contribute to its pathogenesis research. Local use of low concentration steroid eye drops combined with antiviral drugs is effective for TSPK. Clinicians should pay attention to recurrence of TSPK.