eMedicine Specialties > Ophthalmology > Cornea

Keratoconjunctivitis, Superior Limbic: Follow-up

Author: James H Oakman Jr, MD, Partner, Southern Eye Center, Augusta, Georgia
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Nov 6, 2008

Follow-up

Further Outpatient Care

  • Patients should receive follow-up care for recurrences of symptoms after treatment of SLK, and they require careful examinations for the development of thyroid ophthalmopathy.

Inpatient & Outpatient Medications

  • A 10-day course of lodoxamide, 4 times per day, has been shown in a series of 3 patients to mitigate the symptoms of SLK. Again, this is not considered definitive treatment by most.

Complications

  • No specific complications from the disease are recognized; since the natural history of the entity is complete, eventual resolution occurs.
  • Inappropriate use of silver nitrate sticks, which should never be used in the eyes, as opposed to preparations of topical silver nitrate solution, results in a severe caustic injury to the affected part of the eye where applied.
  • Surgical resection of the conjunctiva has the usual complication profile of any surgical procedure, and special care should be taken to avoid involvement of the superior rectus muscle in the dissection.

Prognosis

  • The prognosis is excellent, although symptoms may last for years.

Patient Education

  • Discussing the disease process with patients is important because it will improve compliance with treatment modalities. It will help to allay their fear of the unknown and also will help them to cope with the often prolonged symptoms of this entity.

Miscellaneous

Medicolegal Pitfalls

  • Inappropriate use of silver nitrate sticks, which should never be used in the eyes, as opposed to preparations of topical silver nitrate solution, has reportedly resulted in litigation.
 


More on Keratoconjunctivitis, Superior Limbic

Overview: Keratoconjunctivitis, Superior Limbic
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Keratoconjunctivitis, Superior Limbic
Treatment & Medication: Keratoconjunctivitis, Superior Limbic
Follow-up: Keratoconjunctivitis, Superior Limbic
References
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Further Reading

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Keywords

superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis, SLK, superior limbic filamentary keratoconjunctivitis

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

James H Oakman Jr, MD, Partner, Southern Eye Center, Augusta, Georgia
James H Oakman Jr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, Georgia Medical Society, Georgia Society of General Surgeons, and Georgia Society of Ophthalmology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Stephen D Plager, MD, FACS, Chief, Department of Ophthalmology, Dominican Hospital; Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University Hospital
Stephen D Plager, MD, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, and California Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: eMedicine Salary Employment

Managing Editor

Christopher J Rapuano, MD, Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University; Co-Chairman of the Cornea Service, Co-Chairman of Refractive Surgery Department, Wills Eye Institute
Christopher J Rapuano, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists, Cornea Society, Eye Bank Association of America, International Society of Refractive Surgery, and Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology
Disclosure: Allergan Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Allergan Consulting fee Consulting; Alcon Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Inspire Honoraria Speaking and teaching; RPS Ownership interest Other; Vistakon Honoraria Speaking and teaching

CME Editor

Lance L Brown, OD, MD, Ophthalmologist, Affiliated With Freeman Hospital and St John's Hospital, Regional Eye Center, Joplin, Missouri
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Hampton Roy Sr, MD, Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Hampton Roy Sr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, and Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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