RECURRENT CORNEAL EROSIONS - MANAGEMENT BY THE PRIMARY-CARE PHYSICIAN

The primary care physician should be aware of recurrent corneal erosio n, a condition that is quite common but is often misdiagnosed, Most ca ses are a result of minor corneal abrasion, after which the corneal ep ithelium undergoes a cycle of breakdown and healing that may last for months. Use of a bland antibiotic ointment twice a day for 4 to 8 week s may be successful, but if the patient is very uncomfortable or conti nues to have symptoms, referral to an ophthalmologist is appropriate.