Pseudoentrapment of ointment in the cornea

F. T. Fraunfelder, C. Hanna and A. H. Woods

A previously unrecognized characteristic clinical entity, "pseudoentrapment of ointment in the cornea" may occur in corneal lesions that have (1) topical application of ointments to the corneal lesion, (2) application of a firm pressure dressing, and (3) stromal loss or distortion of its normal architecture that allows for ointment globules to lie below the corneal surface. The clinical picture is that of a cluster of large ointment globules lodged within the corneal defect. Experimental data suggest that the ointment globules are entrapped within the wound exudates and lodged below the plane of the corneal surface. No treatment is necessary since the globules are extruded within the next 24 to 48 hours even if the pressure dressing is continued. Pseudoentrapment of ointment inthe cornea is compared with and differentiated from corneal ointment entrapment and corneal spheroidal degeneration.