Filamentary keratopathy can be caused by which of the following conditions?

Filamentary keratopathy can be caused by which of the following conditions?

• A. Filamentary keratopathy can be caused by Neurotrophic keratopathy
• B. Bacterial keratitis
• C. Keratoconus
• D. Cataract

Answer: (A)

Filamentary keratopathy happens when the corneal surface becomes unstable and mucus-containing filaments—composed of degraded epithelial cells and mucin—adhere to the cornea. This is classically seen when corneal innervation and trophic support are reduced, as in neurotrophic keratopathy, which impairs epithelial healing and tear film stability. Bacterial keratitis can cause infection and ulcers but does not typically produce these attached filaments; keratoconus and cataract affect the cornea’s shape or the lens, not the surface filament formation. So, neurotrophic keratopathy best explains the presence of filamentary keratopathy.

Filamentary keratopathy happens when the corneal surface becomes unstable and mucus-containing filaments—composed of degraded epithelial cells and mucin—adhere to the cornea. This is classically seen when corneal innervation and trophic support are reduced, as in neurotrophic keratopathy, which impairs epithelial healing and tear film stability. Bacterial keratitis can cause infection and ulcers but does not typically produce these attached filaments; keratoconus and cataract affect the cornea’s shape or the lens, not the surface filament formation. So, neurotrophic keratopathy best explains the presence of filamentary keratopathy.