title: Superficial punctate keratitis of thygeson: the longest course on record?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report the extended clinical course of a case of superficial punctate keratitis of Thygeson.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 59-year-old woman with a 40-year history of superficial punctate keratitis of Thygeson is presented, providing a forum to discuss the chronicity of the disease, its treatment, and the potential complications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our patient has been treated over the years with mild topical corticosteroids, usually with favorable results. Given the chronicity of superficial punctate keratitis of Thygeson, long-term treatment with topical corticosteroids carries the possible side effects of iatrogenic cataract formation and steroid-induced glaucoma, neither of which was seen in our patient.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Superficial punctate keratitis of Thygeson is usually a benign, self-limited disease with exacerbations and remissions. Ophthalmologists must exercise care when using long-term corticosteroid treatment in this condition.
authors.affiliation: Cornea Service, Doheny Eye Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Tanzer
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007634:Keratitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones