Pathogenesis of recurrent corneal erosion: a further aetiological factor?

An unmasked, prospective study of the magnitude of Bell's phenomenon in 42 patients with recurrent corneal epithelial erosion has demonstrated an abnormally high prevalence of 'absent' or 'weak' Bell's phenomenon as compared to that in a control group of 189 patients. Those patients without a predisposing factor had a 78 per cent prevalence of abnormal Bell's phenomenon, those with an epithelial or basement membrane dystrophy had a 55 per cent prevalence, whereas those with preceding traumatic corneal abrasion formed an intermediate group (62 per cent abnormal Bell's phenomenon); the prevalence of 'absent' or 'weak' Bell's phenomenon in the control group was 26 per cent. The probable mechanisms of recurrent corneal epithelial erosion are discussed in the light of this newly described association.