Where is an inflammatory (sterile) ulcer typically located?

Where is an inflammatory (sterile) ulcer typically located?

• A. Central and stromal
• B. Peripheral and superficial
• C. Superficial near the epithelium
• D. Deep in the stroma near Descemet's membrane

Answer: (B)

Inflammatory (sterile) corneal infiltrates are immune-mediated. They appear as small, gray-white spots in the superficial layer of the stroma, near the epithelium, and typically sit toward the periphery rather than the center. The epithelium is usually intact, and pain is less prominent than with infectious ulcers. This peripheral, shallow location contrasts with infectious keratitis, which tends to involve deeper stromal tissue and can be central or near Descemet's membrane. So the classic location for a sterile inflammatory ulcer is peripheral and superficial.

Inflammatory (sterile) corneal infiltrates are immune-mediated. They appear as small, gray-white spots in the superficial layer of the stroma, near the epithelium, and typically sit toward the periphery rather than the center. The epithelium is usually intact, and pain is less prominent than with infectious ulcers. This peripheral, shallow location contrasts with infectious keratitis, which tends to involve deeper stromal tissue and can be central or near Descemet's membrane. So the classic location for a sterile inflammatory ulcer is peripheral and superficial.