Landolt ring–shaped epithelial keratopathy (LRSEK) is a very rare corneal surface disorder. In this condition, tiny C-shaped (Landolt ring–like) spots appear in the corneal epithelium (the clear surface skin of the eye). People typically notice gritty/foreign-body sensation and light sensitivity (photophobia). On slit-lamp exam, eye doctors see multiple C-shaped rings sitting only in the epithelium, without deeper corneal inflammation. The spots may slowly appear and fade over weeks to months, sometimes in clusters that form a larger “ring” (a fractal pattern). The disease usually settles on its own (self-limiting) and often recurs. In the original case series (11 patients in Japan) and later reports, confocal microscopy showed ballooned epithelial cells and hyper-reflective deposits at the basal epithelial layer, with no stromal or endothelial involvement. Many patients have both eyes involved, but often asymmetrically. PubMed
Landolt ring–shaped epithelial keratopathy (LRSEK) is a rare, newly described corneal surface problem. Tiny “C-shaped” spots (they look like the Landolt “C” symbol used on some eye charts) appear in the top skin layer of the cornea (the epithelium). People often feel as if sand is in the eye, are sensitive to light, and may notice blur. Under the microscope, doctors see small, bubble-like (vesicular) changes within the epithelial cells. Importantly, there is no inflammation deeper in the cornea, and vision usually recovers. In the first published series (11 patients in Japan), the condition tended to come and go over weeks to months, sometimes flaring in winter, and often healed by itself even without treatment. More recently, the same pattern was reported in a non-Japanese patient in the United States, so it’s not limited to any one ethnicity. PubMed+1
Some authors observed that many diagnoses were made in winter months, suggesting a possible weather/season influence, but this pattern is not universal. Overall, LRSEK remains uncommon, sporadic, and of unknown cause, with a good visual prognosis in the published cases. EyeWiki
Why “Landolt ring”?
Eye doctors measure visual acuity with different optotypes; one is the Landolt C, a ring with a gap. The corneal spots in LRSEK resemble that “C”-shaped ring, hence the name. JAMA Network
Types
There isn’t an official “staging” system yet. But to communicate clearly and track patients over time, clinicians often describe LRSEK by pattern:
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By laterality
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By shape
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Classic C-shaped (Landolt-like) rings.
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Complete annular ring (rare, formed by confluence).
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Fractal/clustered (small C’s grouping into a larger ring). PubMed
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By size and number
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Few, small rings vs multiple, variable-sized rings (can change between visits). EyeWiki
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By activity
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Active/eruptive (new rings forming, more symptoms).
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Quiescent/resolving (fading rings, milder symptoms).
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By symptom burden
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Mild (gritty feeling only).
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Moderate–severe (marked light sensitivity, discomfort).
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By temporal behavior
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Self-limited episodes (weeks to months, then settle).
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Recurrent course (episodes repeat over time). PubMed
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By seasonality (descriptive, not required)
Causes
Bottom line: the true cause is still unknown. The best evidence we have (small series + one case report) says LRSEK is non-inflammatory, epithelium-only, and self-limiting. Confocal images suggest cellular swelling and deposits in specific epithelial layers. Some authors have speculated about small-area limbal stem-cell dysfunction based on the XYZ hypothesis of epithelial renewal, but this remains theoretical. PubMed+1EyeWiki
Because the cause is uncertain, it’s safer to think in two buckets:
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Hypotheses about contributors (not proven causes).
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Look-alike problems to rule out (the “differential diagnosis”), because several conditions can create ring-like or epithelial corneal changes.
Potential contributors or conditions to consider
Important: Items below are not proven causes of LRSEK. They’re either hypotheses (possible contributors) or look-alikes your doctor will consider and exclude. The published LRSEK series even tested for herpes viruses (PCR) and found negative results in sampled patients. EyeWiki
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Micro-area limbal stem-cell dysfunction (hypothesis). A small patch of limbal stem cells may “underperform,” creating local epithelial cell changes that look like C-rings. It fits the XYZ hypothesis logic but remains unproven. PubMed
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Weather/season shifts. Some patients presented in winter; cold, dry air might stress the surface. Not universal. EyeWiki
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Age-related epithelial turnover (middle age cluster in reports)—a descriptive observation, not a cause. EyeWiki
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Genetic background? Early cases were all Japanese; later a non-Japanese patient was reported, so LRSEK is not ethnicity-limited. PubMed
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Dry eye stress (as a general surface stressor) can increase grittiness and staining, potentially unmasking lesions (differential consideration).
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Contact lens wear (mechanical/micro-hypoxic stress) can alter epithelium and mimic corneal surface disease (to be excluded).
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Topical medication toxicity (look-alike): several drugs can produce epithelial changes/vortex keratopathy (e.g., amiodarone, antimalarials, some others). PubMedPMC
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Topical anesthetic abuse (look-alike): can cause ring keratitis and epithelial damage—an important exclusion. EyeWiki
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Herpes simplex epithelial disease (look-alike): classically dendritic/geo lesions, often unilateral; PCR was negative in studied LRSEK samples. EyeWiki
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Adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis (look-alike): can leave subepithelial infiltrates; pattern differs; rule out clinically/lab. EyeWiki
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Bacterial “ring” keratitis (look-alike, often stromal): e.g., Pseudomonas—typically painful, inflamed, with stromal involvement.
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Acanthamoeba keratitis (look-alike): stromal ring infiltrate with severe pain; not an epithelial-only process.
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Thygeson’s superficial punctate keratitis (TSPK) (look-alike): tiny epithelial opacities and photophobia; different spot shape/behavior. PubMed
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Recurrent corneal erosion (look-alike): painful, positional epithelial defects; no C-ring pattern.
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Epithelial basement membrane dystrophy (look-alike): map-dot-fingerprint patterns; different morphology.
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Vortex (whorl) keratopathy from systemic drugs (look-alike): whorl, not C-rings. PubMedPMC
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Exposure/lagophthalmos (look-alike): inferior staining bands; not ring-shaped.
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Allergic/atopic keratoconjunctivitis (look-alike): papillae, itching, diffuse staining.
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Post-refractive surgery entities (DLK/CTK) (look-alike, typically stromal): not an epithelial-only C-ring pattern. BioMed Central
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Traumatic endothelial/epithelial rings (look-alike): occur after impact; different level and history. EyeWiki
Symptoms and signs
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Gritty or “sand in the eye” feeling (foreign-body sensation). This is the most common complaint. It comes from irritated surface cells. PubMed
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Light sensitivity (photophobia). Bright light can feel harsh or painful because the surface is rough and scatters light. PubMed
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Eye discomfort or mild pain. Usually surface soreness, not deep, throbbing pain. EyeWiki
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Blurry vision that comes and goes. Vision is often near-normal overall, but mild blur can happen during active episodes. PubMed
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Glare/halos. Irregular epithelial rings scatter light, creating glare, especially at night. EyeWiki
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Watering/tearing. The eye makes extra tears to soothe the surface.
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Burning or stinging. Typical with surface irritation.
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Itching is uncommon. If itching dominates, allergy may be the bigger problem.
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Redness: usually mild. LRSEK is not a classic “red, hot, inflamed” condition. PubMed
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No discharge (or minimal). Thick discharge points to infection, not LRSEK.
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No obvious “white spot” ulcer. LRSEK doesn’t form a typical corneal ulcer crater.
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Both eyes often affected (but uneven). One eye can feel worse than the other. PubMed
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Spots change over time. The number, size, and position of the rings can look different at different visits. EyeWiki
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Episodes last weeks to months, then settle. The condition tends to self-resolve, but can come back. PubMed
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Normal corneal sensation and pressure. In examined patients, corneal sensitivity and eye pressure were normal. EyeWiki
Diagnostic tests
There is no single definitive lab test for LRSEK. Doctors diagnose it by history + slit-lamp pattern and by ruling out look-alikes. In the series, PCR tests for herpes viruses were negative in sampled patients. Confocal microscopy is very helpful to confirm that only the epithelium is involved. PubMedEyeWiki
A) Physical examination (bedside/clinic)
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Slit-lamp biomicroscopy. The core exam. The clinician focuses on the epithelium and looks for C-shaped rings without deeper inflammation. PubMed
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Fluorescein staining (blue light). Highlights junctional disruption at the surface and helps outline ring edges. EyeWiki
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Lissamine green or rose bengal staining. Shows stressed surface cells and dry-eye patterns (to separate LRSEK from other causes).
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Corneal sensation check (Cochet–Bonnet or cotton wisp). Helps confirm normal sensitivity, which supports LRSEK over herpetic disease. EyeWiki
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Intraocular pressure (IOP). Usually normal; included to exclude other problems. EyeWiki
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Lid/lash/meibomian exam + eyelid eversion. Rules out lid-related surface disease and subtarsal irritation (look-alikes).
B) Manual clinical tests
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Visual acuity testing (Snellen or Landolt-C chart). Confirms how much the surface spots are affecting clarity (often minimal overall). JAMA Network
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Pinhole test. Distinguishes surface scatter from refractive blur—clarity that improves with pinhole suggests surface/optical scatter.
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Manifest refraction. Detects any coexisting refractive change; LRSEK itself usually doesn’t shift refraction much.
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Schirmer test (tear quantity). Dryness may worsen symptoms; finding dryness points to a comorbidity, not the cause.
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Tear break-up time (TBUT). Short TBUT shows unstable tears (adds discomfort/glare), helping to separate diagnoses.
C) Laboratory & pathological tests (to rule out other diseases)
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Corneal scraping for PCR to HHV-1–8 (herpes viruses). In the series, tested eyes were negative, supporting a non-herpetic process. EyeWiki
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Adenovirus testing (conjunctival swab antigen/PCR) when history suggests epidemic keratoconjunctivitis.
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Bacterial and fungal cultures (if there is pain, redness, infiltrate, or an ulcer—features not typical of LRSEK).
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Acanthamoeba PCR/culture if severe pain, contact lens history, or classic stromal ring infiltrate is suspected.
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Impression cytology of the ocular surface to study epithelial cell health (used selectively).
D) Electrodiagnostic tests (rarely needed)
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Visual evoked potential (VEP). Only if symptoms are out of proportion and a neurologic visual pathway issue must be excluded. (Routine electrodiagnostics are not part of standard LRSEK work-ups.)
E) Imaging tests
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In vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM). Key tool: shows ballooning in superficial cells, hyper-reflective changes in wing cells, and basal-layer C-ring structures, with deeper layers intact. Strongly supports LRSEK when present. EyeWikiPubMed
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Anterior segment OCT. High-resolution cross-sections confirm the epithelial-only location and check that stroma/endothelium are normal.
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Corneal topography/tomography. Maps corneal shape; usually normal in LRSEK but helps exclude other irregularities.
Non-pharmacological treatments
Evidence is limited and mostly extrapolated from general ocular-surface care and limbal-stem-cell concepts. LRSEK often improves on its own. Your doctor will individualize care. EyeWiki
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Education & watchful waiting. Many cases resolve without aggressive treatment; knowing this reduces anxiety.
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Light control. Sunglasses, hats, and dimmer indoor lighting reduce photophobia during flares.
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Cold compresses. Short, gentle cold packs calm surface nerve endings and relieve burning.
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Blink training & screen breaks (20-20-20 rule). Reduces evaporation and mechanical micro-trauma.
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Humidification & environment tweaks. Humidifiers, avoiding direct fans/AC, and protective eyewear help the tear film.
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Eyelid hygiene. Warm compresses and lid scrubs improve meibum quality, stabilizing the tear film.
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Allergen control. Rinse after outdoor exposure; wash pillowcases often; reduce dust/mites.
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Discontinue irritant drops when possible. Preservatives and vasoconstrictors can aggravate epithelium.
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Switch to preservative-free lubricants (single-use vials) to minimize chemical load.
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Night-time ocular surface protection. Lubricating gel/ointment or moisture chamber goggles during sleep.
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Bandage soft contact lens (short term, with antibiotic cover) to shield irritated epithelium.
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Scleral lenses (for recurrent or persistent discomfort) to bathe the cornea in fluid.
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Punctal plugs (if aqueous tear deficiency exists) to keep tears on the eye longer.
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Treat blepharitis/MGD (thermal pulsation, in-office expression) if present.
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Stop contact lenses during flares. Resume only when the surface is quiet.
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Gentle debridement of loose epithelium in a clinic if micro-erosions persist.
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Amniotic membrane (self-retaining ring) as a biologic bandage in stubborn epithelial problems (case-by-case). EyeWiki
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Allergy reduction strategies (shower before bed, saline rinses) if itch/rub drives flares.
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Seasonal planning. If your pattern is winter-linked, pre-emptive lubrication and early follow-up can blunt symptoms. EyeWiki
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Safety net plan. Clear instructions on when to call (worsening pain, new discharge, big drop in vision).
Drug treatments
There is no proven, disease-specific drug for LRSEK. Treatments below are symptom-focused or empirical, drawn from published cases and general ocular-surface care. Use only under an eye-care professional’s guidance. EyeWikiPubMed
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Preservative-free artificial tears (lubricants).
Class: ocular demulcents (e.g., hyaluronate, carboxymethylcellulose). Dose: 1 drop QID–hourly during flares. Timing: daytime; gel at night. Purpose: comfort, dilute irritants. Mechanism: restore tear volume and surface smoothness. Side effects: brief blur/sting. -
Hypertonic saline 5% drops/ointment.
Class: osmotic agent. Dose: drops QID, ointment HS. Purpose: reduce epithelial edema. Mechanism: draws fluid out of epithelium. Side effects: sting, irritation. -
Topical corticosteroid (low-to-moderate potency: loteprednol 0.2–0.5% or FML 0.1%).
Dose: QID then taper over 1–2 weeks. Purpose: short-term anti-inflammatory relief when pain/photophobia are prominent. Mechanism: blocks cytokines. Side effects: pressure rise, cataract with prolonged use; avoid if infection suspected. (Steroids were used empirically in reports.) PubMed -
Topical cyclosporine (0.05–0.1%).
Class: calcineurin inhibitor. Dose: BID; onset over weeks. Purpose: reduce surface immune activation in recurrent disease. Mechanism: T-cell modulation. Side effects: sting; rare redness. (Symptom improvement reported in a case.) PubMed -
Topical lifitegrast 5%.
Class: LFA-1 antagonist. Dose: BID. Purpose: alternative to cyclosporine for inflammatory dry eye features. Mechanism: blocks T-cell adhesion. Side effects: dysgeusia, irritation. -
Topical antihistamine/mast-cell stabilizer (e.g., olopatadine 0.1–0.2%).
Dose: QD–BID during allergy season. Purpose: limit itch/rub cycle. Mechanism: histamine receptor block + stabilization. Side effects: mild sting. -
Topical antiviral (e.g., ganciclovir gel).
Dose: 5×/day, then TID for a week after healing—only if your doctor truly suspects herpetic disease. Purpose: cover HSV in atypical cases. Mechanism: inhibits viral DNA polymerase. Side effects: blur, irritation. (In published LRSEK series, herpes PCR was negative; antivirals are for rule-out situations.) EyeWiki -
Topical antibiotic (e.g., moxifloxacin 0.5%).
Dose: QID short course only if epithelium is compromised or a bandage lens is used. Purpose: prophylaxis. Mechanism: blocks bacterial replication. Side effects: sting, resistance if overused. -
Oral NSAID (e.g., ibuprofen) as needed.
Dose: per label/physician advice. Purpose: relieve pain; does not treat the lesions. Mechanism: prostaglandin inhibition. Side effects: stomach upset; avoid with ulcers/kidney disease. -
Lubricating ointment/vitamin A ointment at night.
Dose: HS. Purpose: overnight surface protection. Mechanism: reduces friction and supports epithelial health. Side effects: morning blur.
Dietary / molecular & other supportive supplements
These are adjuncts for overall ocular-surface health; they do not specifically “treat LRSEK.” Discuss with your clinician, especially if pregnant, on blood thinners, or with chronic disease.
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Omega-3 (EPA/DHA) 1000–2000 mg/day — tear quality; anti-inflammatory via eicosanoid shift.
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Vitamin A 2500–5000 IU/day (avoid excess) — epithelial differentiation; supports goblet cells.
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Vitamin D3 1000–2000 IU/day — immune modulation on the ocular surface.
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Vitamin C 500 mg/day — collagen support & antioxidant.
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Zinc 10–20 mg/day — cofactor in healing; antioxidant enzymes.
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N-acetylcysteine (NAC) 600 mg/day — mucolytic/antioxidant; may reduce filamentary debris.
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L-carnitine 500–1000 mg/day — osmoprotection in epithelial stress.
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Curcumin 500–1000 mg/day — anti-inflammatory; NF-κB down-regulation.
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Green tea extract (EGCG) 200–400 mg/day — antioxidant/anti-inflammatory.
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Hyaluronic acid (oral) per label — hydration support; may aid mucosal surfaces.
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Lactoferrin 250–350 mg/day — tear protein mimic; antimicrobial/anti-inflammatory.
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Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA/EPO) 240–480 mg/day — tear film stability; anti-inflammatory.
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CoQ10 100–200 mg/day — mitochondrial support; antioxidant.
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Selenium 100–200 mcg/day — antioxidant enzyme cofactor (don’t exceed).
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Probiotics per label — gut–immune crosstalk; may modulate inflammation.
Regenerative “biologic” therapies
These are specialized options used for other ocular-surface diseases; in LRSEK they are considered case-by-case and evidence is limited.
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Topical cyclosporine 0.05–0.1% (BID). — Immune modulation to calm chronic surface inflammation; calcineurin blockade. (Symptom benefit reported in a case.) PubMed
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Topical tacrolimus 0.03–0.1% (compounded, HS–BID). — Stronger calcineurin inhibitor for refractory inflammation.
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Interferon-α2b + topical retinoic acid (low-dose) (specialist-directed). — Has helped partial limbal stem cell deficiency, conceptually relevant where micro-LSCD is suspected. EyeWiki
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Autologous serum tears 20–50% (QID). — Provides growth factors (EGF, fibronectin) that promote epithelial healing.
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Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) eye drops (QID–Q6h). — Concentrated growth factors to stimulate regeneration.
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Cenegermin (rhNGF) 0.002% (six times daily for 8 weeks). — Approved for neurotrophic keratitis; promotes epithelial nerve/epithelial health (off-label consideration in severe recalcitrant epitheliopathy).
Surgeries
Surgery is rarely needed in LRSEK because the problem is epithelial and self-limited. These procedures are reserved for unusual, stubborn cases or when another diagnosis overlaps (e.g., partial limbal stem cell deficiency). EyeWiki
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Superficial keratectomy (epithelial debridement).
What: Gently removes unhealthy epithelium to let fresh cells regrow. Why: Persistent rough epithelium or recurrent erosions. -
Phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK).
What: Excimer laser polishes superficial cornea. Why: Recurrent surface irregularity after other care fails. -
Self-retaining amniotic membrane graft.
What: A biologic “bandage” placed on the eye. Why: Supports epithelial healing in chronic defects or severe surface stress. -
Limbal stem cell procedures (SLET/CLAU/CLET).
What: Transplant stem-cell–rich limbal tissue. Why: Only if a true limbal stem cell deficiency is diagnosed; not standard for LRSEK itself. EyeWiki -
Keratoplasty (corneal transplant).
What: Replace part/all of the cornea. Why: Extremely rare in this context; used only for scarring from another cause.
Prevention tips
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Avoid eye rubbing and stop contact lenses during flares.
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Use preservative-free lubricants in dry or windy conditions.
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Humidify your space; avoid direct AC or fans toward your face.
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Sunglasses outdoors (wind/UV defense).
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Take screen breaks and blink fully.
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Keep lids clean; treat blepharitis/MGD if present.
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Limit irritating drops (decongestant “get-the-red-out” products).
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Manage allergies (drops + environment).
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Plan winter care if you tend to flare then: step-up lubrication, early check-ins. EyeWiki
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Healthy hydration & nutrition to support healing.
When to see a doctor—right away vs routine
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Urgent, same-day: severe or worsening pain, marked light sensitivity, sudden drop in vision, new discharge, a white spot on the cornea, trauma, contact lens wear with pain, or fever (infection concern).
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Soon (days): recurrence not improving in a week, repeated flares, or any doubt about the diagnosis.
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Routine follow-up: even after recovery, because recurrences are common. EyeWiki
Foods to favor
Eat more of:
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Fatty fish (salmon, sardines) for omega-3s.
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Leafy greens (spinach, kale) for carotenoids.
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Citrus/berries for vitamin C.
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Nuts & seeds (walnut, flax, chia) for healthy fats.
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Eggs & dairy (if tolerated) for vitamin A precursors.
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Colorful vegetables (peppers, carrots) for antioxidants.
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Olive oil for anti-inflammatory fat.
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Legumes for zinc and protein.
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Whole grains for steady energy.
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Plenty of water to support tears.
Limit/avoid:
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Alcohol excess (dehydrates).
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Very spicy foods if they trigger eye rub/flush.
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Ultra-processed snacks and high-sugar foods (inflammation).
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Trans fats (fried/packaged).
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Smoking/vape exposure (irritant).
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Strong aerosols (cleaners/sprays) around eyes.
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Over-caffeination if it worsens dry mouth/eye.
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Low-nutrient crash diets (slow healing).
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Artificial tear over-use with preservatives (choose PF vials instead).
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Any known personal trigger you’ve noticed before.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
1) Is LRSEK an infection?
No. In reported cases, viral PCR tests were negative and there is no clear inflammation in the cornea’s deeper layers. Doctors may still test or treat empirically if the story is unclear. EyeWiki
2) Will it damage my sight permanently?
That’s unlikely. Most people recover without lasting vision loss, though short-term blur/glare can occur during flares. PubMed
3) Why does it look like a “C”?
Because a small arc of surface cells behaves differently, creating a gap in a ring—just like the Landolt C used on eye charts. Wikipedia
4) Is it only found in Japanese patients?
No. A non-Japanese patient with typical features has been reported. PubMed
5) Does winter really make it worse?
Some early patients were diagnosed in winter; others don’t show seasonality. Your pattern may differ. EyeWikiPubMed
6) Which eye drops help most?
There’s no single proven drop. Doctors often try lubricants, brief topical steroids, or cyclosporine to ease symptoms. Many cases improve even without treatment. EyeWikiPubMed
7) Could this be Wessely ring or Acanthamoeba?
Those are different, deeper conditions with inflamed stromal rings; LRSEK is epithelial and quieter. Your doctor will examine and test if needed. ScienceDirectSpringerOpen
8) Will I need surgery?
Almost never. Surgery is for exceptional cases or when another problem (like true limbal stem cell deficiency) is present. EyeWiki
9) Can I keep wearing contacts?
Pause during flares. Long term, you might resume with strict hygiene or consider scleral lenses if you have recurrent irritation.
10) How long do flares last?
Usually weeks to a few months; average around 3 months in early series, but it varies. EyeWiki
11) Is it contagious?
No evidence suggests that. Household members don’t catch LRSEK from you. PubMed
12) What if my doctor suggests antivirals or antibiotics?
That’s to rule out infections that can mimic LRSEK. It’s a safety step when the picture isn’t crystal clear. EyeWiki
13) Could this be caused by my eye drops?
Some medications/ preservatives can irritate the epithelium. Your doctor may simplify your regimen to test this. PubMed
14) Will supplements cure it?
No supplements cure LRSEK. Some can support general surface health while you heal.
15) What follow-up do I need?
Because recurrences are common, schedule follow-ups—especially if you notice winter-linked flares or new symptoms. EyeWiki
Disclaimer: Each person’s journey is unique, treatment plan, life style, food habit, hormonal condition, immune system, chronic disease condition, geological location, weather and previous medical history is also unique. So always seek the best advice from a qualified medical professional or health care provider before trying any treatments to ensure to find out the best plan for you. This guide is for general information and educational purposes only. Regular check-ups and awareness can help to manage and prevent complications associated with these diseases conditions. If you or someone are suffering from this disease condition bookmark this website or share with someone who might find it useful! Boost your knowledge and stay ahead in your health journey. We always try to ensure that the content is regularly updated to reflect the latest medical research and treatment options. Thank you for giving your valuable time to read the article.
The article is written by Team RxHarun and reviewed by the Rx Editorial Board Members
Last Updated: August 10, 2025.
