View source for Thygeson's superficial punctate keratopathy

{{DiseaseDisorder infobox |
  Name           = Thygeson's superficial punctate keratopathy |
  ICD10          = {{ICD10|H|16|1|h|15}} |
  ICD9           = {{ICD9|370.21}} |
  ICDO           = |
  Image          = |
  Caption        = |
  OMIM           = |
  MedlinePlus    = |
  eMedicineSubj  = |
  eMedicineTopic = |
  DiseasesDB     = 31288 |
}}

{{SI}}

==Overview==
'''Thygeson's superficial punctate keratopathy''' ('''TSPK''') is a [[disease]] of the [[eye]]s. The causes of TSPK are not currently known, but details of the disease were first published in the [[Journal of the American Medical Association]] in 1950 by Phillips Thygeson - after whom it is named.

== Symptoms ==
A patient with TSPK may complain of blurred [[Visual perception|vision]], watery eyes, a sensation of having a foreign body stuck in the eye and sensitivity to bright light. On inspection with a [[slit lamp]], tiny lumps can be found on the [[cornea]] of the eye. These lumps can be more easily seen after applying [[fluorescein]] or rose bengal dye eye-drops. The lumps appear to be randomly positioned on the cornea and they may appear and disappear over a period of time (with or without treatment).

TSPK may affect one or both eyes. When both eyes are affected, the tiny lumps found on the cornea may differ in number between eyes. The severity of the [[symptom]]s often vary during the course of the disease. The disease may appear to go into remission, only to later reappear after months or years.

== Causes ==
The causes of TSPK are not currently known.

== Treatment ==
There are a number of different treatments to deal with TSPK. Symptoms may disappear without treatment, but treatment may help increase time to and success of remission.

* PRK laser eye surgery can cure this disease
* Artificial tear eye-drops or ointments may be a suitable treatment for mild cases.
* Low-dosage [[steroid]]al eye-drops, such as [[prednisone]], [[fluorometholone]] or [[rimexolone]]. Steroidal drops should be used with caution and the eye pressure should be regularly checked during treatment.
* Soft [[contact lens]]es.
* [[Cyclosporine]] is an experimental treatment for TSPK. It is usually used during [[transplant]]s as it reduces the [[immune system]] response.
* Laser eye surgery|Laser eye treatment.

==References==
* Thygeson P. ''Superficial punctate keratitis.'' J Am Med Assoc 1950;144:1544-9. PMID 14794375.

==See also==
*[[List of eye diseases and disorders]]

== External links ==
* [http://www.revoptom.com/handbook/sect3j.htm Handbook of Ocular Disease Management TSPK page]
* [http://webeye.ophth.uiowa.edu/dept/DIAGTRT/Thygeson/Thygeson.htm UIHC Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences TSPK page]
* [http://www.fechter.com/Thygeson%27s.htm TSPK treatments]
* [http://www.fechter.com/TSPKNewDiscGroup5/index.html TSPK discussion]

{{Eye pathology}}

[[Category:Ophthalmology]]
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