Central toxic keratopathy.
OBJECTIVE
To describe recent evidence from the literature regarding central toxic keratopathy syndrome (CTK).


RESULTS
CTK describes a rare, self-limited, noninflammatory postsurgical condition that presents with central corneal opacity and a significant hyperopic shift. Although its cause remains uncertain, CTK bears a striking clinical resemblance to other more serious conditions and is, therefore, often misdiagnosed and mismanaged. Despite its noninflammatory nature, the overlapping clinical features CTK shares with other inflammatory and infectious processes have led some to treat CTK with steroids. Recent studies discourage the use of steroids in CTK and recommend allowing the condition to resolve on its own.


CONCLUSIONS
Although CTK resembles other inflammatory conditions that are responsive to steroids, current studies suggest that steroid administration is contraindicated in CTK and can exacerbate preexisting refractive alterations in patients with the condition.
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah Medical Center Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA. majid.moshirfar@hsc.utah.edu
Majid
M
Moshirfar
Ribhi
R
Hazin
Yousuf M
YM
Khalifa
D000075202:Contraindications; D003318:Corneal Opacity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D006801:Humans; D006956:Hyperopia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D007634:Keratitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ; D011183:Postoperative Complications
D005938:Glucocorticoids