title: Linear endotheliitis.
abstract: We treated six eyes of five patients with linear endotheliitis. This entity appears clinically as a line of keratic precipitates on the corneal endothelium that progresses centrally and is accompanied by peripheral stromal and epithelial edema. All five patients had ocular pain, redness, and photophobia. One eye had an episode of a dendritic lesion typical of herpes simplex. Two eyes had a history of cataract extraction before developing linear endotheliitis. We treated all patients aggressively with a combination of corticosteroids and antiviral agents. Complete resolution of inflammation and edema occurred in all cases. Four patients required the use of oral acyclovir to control the inflammation and prevent recurrence of the disease. Linear endothelitis is a distinct form of endotheliitis that may be associated with herpes simplex virus, and treatment included corticosteroid and antiviral therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55455.
authors.forename: T W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Olsen
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Hardten
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Meiusi
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Holland
mesh_terms: D000212:Acyclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D002387:Cataract Extraction; D015715:Corneal Edema / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004728:Endothelium, Corneal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007634:Keratitis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D007635:Keratitis, Dendritic / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014792:Visual Acuity
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D000212:Acyclovir