角膜上皮障害の新しい病態—Epithelial Crack Line

Epithelial crack line as a new pathognominic feature of corneal epithelial disorders

　角膜上皮に生じるひび割れ状の線状混濁をepithelial crack lineと命名し，新しい角膜上皮障害の病態として提唱した。基礎疾患として，角膜ヘルペスや瘢痕性角結膜上皮疾患などが多く，大多数の症例でpalisades of Vogtを欠如していた。Epithelial crack lineは角膜上皮に対する細胞毒性で生じることがほとんどであり，遷延性上皮欠損の前兆としての認識が必要である。

We describe a new clinical finding characterized by a branching linear opacity in the corneal epithe-lium. This finding is common in eyes with herpetic keratitis or cicatrizial ocular surface disorders. Notably, palisades of Vogt are absent in these eyes.This particular line is presumably formed as a result of cytotoxicity to the corneal epithelium. Its presence is a prodromal sign of persistent epithelial defect. We propose 'epithelial crack line' as termi-nology for this feature.