Superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis (SLK) is associated with which factors?

Superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis (SLK) is associated with which factors?

• A. Bacterial conjunctivitis
• B. Chemical preservatives, hypoxia, CLs related trauma (excessive movement)
• C. Glaucoma
• D. Cataract

Answer: (B)

SLK arises from chronic irritation and inflammation at the superior limbus and bulbar conjunctiva, most often in contact lens wearers. The factors that best fit this condition are chemical preservatives in lens solutions, hypoxia from lens wear, and trauma from excessive lens movement against the superior ocular surface. Preservatives like benzalkonium chloride can irritate and inflame the ocular surface; lenses that don’t allow enough oxygen cast a hypoxic stress on the cornea and conjunctiva; and excessive lens movement causes repeated mechanical friction at the superior limbus, sustaining inflammation. Together, these elements explain why SLK tends to develop in people who wear contact lenses and experience surface irritation. Bacterial conjunctivitis, by contrast, is typically an infectious, often frankly purulent conjunctival infection rather than a location-specific, chronic limbal-inflammatory process. Glaucoma and cataract are unrelated to this surface inflammatory pattern and don’t characterize SLK.

SLK arises from chronic irritation and inflammation at the superior limbus and bulbar conjunctiva, most often in contact lens wearers. The factors that best fit this condition are chemical preservatives in lens solutions, hypoxia from lens wear, and trauma from excessive lens movement against the superior ocular surface. Preservatives like benzalkonium chloride can irritate and inflame the ocular surface; lenses that don’t allow enough oxygen cast a hypoxic stress on the cornea and conjunctiva; and excessive lens movement causes repeated mechanical friction at the superior limbus, sustaining inflammation. Together, these elements explain why SLK tends to develop in people who wear contact lenses and experience surface irritation.

Bacterial conjunctivitis, by contrast, is typically an infectious, often frankly purulent conjunctival infection rather than a location-specific, chronic limbal-inflammatory process. Glaucoma and cataract are unrelated to this surface inflammatory pattern and don’t characterize SLK.