Mooren's ulcer

Mooren's Ulcer

Mooren's ulcer (pronunciation: /ˈmɔːrɪn/), also known as chronic serpiginous ulcer of the cornea, is a rare, painful, and progressive corneal ulceration without clear cause. The condition was first described by Alfred Mooren in 1867, hence the name.

Etymology

The term "Mooren's ulcer" is named after the German ophthalmologist Alfred Mooren who first described the condition in the 19th century. The word "ulcer" is derived from the Latin "ulcus", which means a sore or wound.

Definition

Mooren's ulcer is a type of peripheral ulcerative keratitis (PUK), a group of inflammatory diseases where the cornea becomes ulcerated. It is characterized by a painful, progressive ulceration of the cornea that can lead to loss of vision if not treated promptly.

Symptoms

The main symptoms of Mooren's ulcer include severe eye pain, redness, tearing, light sensitivity, and decreased vision. The ulcer typically starts at the periphery of the cornea and progresses towards the center.

Causes

The exact cause of Mooren's ulcer is unknown. However, it is often associated with systemic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, hepatitis C, and HIV/AIDS. It is also thought to be an autoimmune response, where the body's immune system attacks the cornea.

Treatment

Treatment for Mooren's ulcer aims to control the inflammation and prevent corneal perforation. This may involve the use of topical and systemic corticosteroids, immunosuppressive drugs, and in severe cases, surgery may be required.

Related Terms

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Mooren's ulcer
Wikipedia's article - Mooren's ulcer

This WikiMD article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.

Languages: - East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, Urdu, বাংলা, తెలుగు, தமிழ், ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, European español, Deutsch, français, русский, português do Brasil, Italian, polski