CLPU is also known as what?

CLPU is also known as what?

• A. Infectious ulcer
• B. Sterile ulcer
• C. Sterile keratitis
• D. Melt ulcer

Answer: (B)

CLPU stands for Contact Lens Peripheral Ulcer, and it is a sterile, noninfectious corneal ulcer that occurs in association with contact lens wear. The key idea is that the ulcer is not caused by an infectious organism—cultures are typically negative—and it often arises from a combination of lens-related factors such as hypoxia, mechanical irritation at the limbus, or an inflammatory response to the lens. This makes “sterile ulcer” the best label. It emphasizes that while there is an ulcer in the peripheral cornea, there is no infectious invasion driving it. In contrast, an infectious ulcer would involve a pathogen, may show purulent discharge, and would require targeted antimicrobial treatment with culture-positive or highly suspected infection. The term sterile keratitis describes inflammation of the cornea without an ulcer, which doesn’t fit the peripheral ulcer appearance seen in CLPU. Melt ulcers imply corneal tissue destruction from enzymatic melting, a different process altogether. In practice, recognizing CLPU as a sterile peripheral ulcer guides management toward removing the contact lens, addressing inflammation, and monitoring healing, with infection ruled out before considering anti-inflammatory therapy.

CLPU stands for Contact Lens Peripheral Ulcer, and it is a sterile, noninfectious corneal ulcer that occurs in association with contact lens wear. The key idea is that the ulcer is not caused by an infectious organism—cultures are typically negative—and it often arises from a combination of lens-related factors such as hypoxia, mechanical irritation at the limbus, or an inflammatory response to the lens.

This makes “sterile ulcer” the best label. It emphasizes that while there is an ulcer in the peripheral cornea, there is no infectious invasion driving it. In contrast, an infectious ulcer would involve a pathogen, may show purulent discharge, and would require targeted antimicrobial treatment with culture-positive or highly suspected infection. The term sterile keratitis describes inflammation of the cornea without an ulcer, which doesn’t fit the peripheral ulcer appearance seen in CLPU. Melt ulcers imply corneal tissue destruction from enzymatic melting, a different process altogether.

In practice, recognizing CLPU as a sterile peripheral ulcer guides management toward removing the contact lens, addressing inflammation, and monitoring healing, with infection ruled out before considering anti-inflammatory therapy.