What is filamentary keratitis?

Filamentary keratitis is a condition in which strands (“filaments”) composed of degenerated epithelial cells and mucus develop on and adhere to the corneal surface causing pain and foreign body sensation.

Does filamentary keratitis cause blindness?

Filamentary keratitis can be a functionally debilitating and sight threatening feature of a number of ocular and systemic conditions such as: Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye syndrome): Both autoimmune (Sjögren syndrome) and non-autoimmune forms of aqueous-deficient dry eye conditions may have corneal filaments.

How do you get rid of filamentary keratitis?

Proposed treatments include nonpreserved lubricants, topical steroidal and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, and punctal plugs for aqueous-deficient dry eye as well as mechanical removal of filaments, hypertonic saline, mucolytic agents, and bandage contact lenses for the filaments.

What is the pathophysiology of keratitis?

Keratitis is a clinical entity wherein inflammatory cells infiltrate different corneal layers in response to noxious stimuli, either infectious exogenous agents or self-antigens. The inflammatory reaction may result in the suppurative melting of corneal epithelium and stroma, resulting in the formation of ulcers.

What does filamentary mean?

Adjective. filamentary (not comparable) Of, pertaining to, containing or resembling a filament or filaments. synonyms ▲ Synonyms: filamental, filamentar.

What causes mucus in cornea?

Any alteration of the corneal surface or tear film composition can lead to mucus plaque formation. The common causes of mucus plaques are: Aqueous tear deficiency as in keratoconjunctivitis sicca[2] Systemic diseases with ocular surface effects as in Sjogren syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis[2]

What bacteria causes keratitis?

About 80 % of bacterial keratitis is caused by Staphylococcus, Streptococcus and Pseudomonas species, though prevalence can depend on geographical regions. Certain bacteria are known to penetrate the intact epithelium which include Neisseria, Corynebacterium, Shigella and Listeria.

What are the types of keratitis?

Infectious keratitis

  • Bacterial keratitis. For mild bacterial keratitis, antibacterial eyedrops may be all you need to effectively treat the infection.
  • Fungal keratitis. Keratitis caused by fungi typically requires antifungal eyedrops and oral antifungal medication.
  • Viral keratitis.
  • Acanthamoeba keratitis.

What is filamentous structure?

[fil″ah-men´tus] composed of long, threadlike structures.

What is the function of the filaments?

The filament is a thin tubular part of the stamen, which extends and supports the pollen sac at the top. The function of filaments in plants is to carry nutrients to the anther, where the pollen develops.

What is a mucus?

So, what is mucus? Mucus is a protective substance that’s excreted from multiple areas of the body, such as the mouth, sinuses, throat, lungs, stomach, and intestines (Figure 1). Mucus itself consists of multiple constituents, but its major component is a substance called mucin.