The influence of superficial epithelial keratopathy on the corneal endothelium.

Subendothelial blebs were seen in cases of superficial keratopathy of varied etiology: superficial punctate keratopathy (42 patients); keratoconjunctivitis sicca (11 patients); epithelial basement membrane dystrophy (9 patients); mild superficial keratopathy due to exposure (9 patients), trichiasis (6 patients), or chemical contact (4 patients); and in contact-lens wearers (29 patients). The blebs were probably due to intercellular edema, separating endothelial cells from Descemet's membrane, and were reversible after resolution of the keratopathy. If the condition is chronic, changes in endothelial morphology may occur, with pleomorphism and polymegathism of the endothelial cells. These cases show that conditions which cause fine disruption of the corneal epithelium affect the integrity of the corneal endothelium. Recognition of resulting long-term changes may be important before intraocular surgery or if the cornea is to be used for grafting.