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PHOTO ESSAY
Year : 2019  |  Volume : 67  |  Issue : 10  |  Page : 1694-1695

Target sign: An applanation epitheliopathy


1 Department of Optometry, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
2 Tej Kohli Cornea Institute; Academy for Eye Care Education, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
3 Tej Kohli Cornea Institute; Jasti V Ramanamma Children's Eye Care Center, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, Telangana, India

Date of Submission07-Mar-2019
Date of Acceptance12-Jun-2019
Date of Web Publication23-Sep-2019

Correspondence Address:
Dr. Muralidhar Ramappa
TejKohli Cornea Institute, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Kallam Anji Reddy Campus, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad - 500 034, Telangana
India
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Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None


DOI: 10.4103/ijo.IJO_451_19

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  Abstract 


Keywords: Applanation tonometry, fluorescein staining, toxic epithelialopathy


How to cite this article:
Durai R, Singh P, Ramappa M. Target sign: An applanation epitheliopathy. Indian J Ophthalmol 2019;67:1694-5

How to cite this URL:
Durai R, Singh P, Ramappa M. Target sign: An applanation epitheliopathy. Indian J Ophthalmol [serial online] 2019 [cited 2024 Mar 28];67:1694-5. Available from: https://journals.lww.com/ijo/pages/default.aspx/text.asp?2019/67/10/1694/267447



A 55-year-old diabetic male at 1-week visit post uneventful cataract surgery had routine eye examination done. The intraocular pressures (IOPs) were recorded using Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT, Haag-Streit, Köniz, Switzerland). Subsequent slit lamp evaluation showed a characteristic circular mark on the cornea [Figure 1], which became more evident on fluorescein staining under cobalt blue filter, as a well-circumscribed circular mark similar to “Target sign” [Figure 2]. On probing the plausible cause of mark, it was noted that the applanation bi-prism was cleaned with 20% isopropyl alcohol swab immediately before use. This picture perspective emphasizes the importance of drying bi-prism after cleaning with an alcohol swab. Copious preservative-free topical lubricating eye drops had resulted in complete resolution of the clinical sign within 24 h.
Figure 1: Whitish circular pattern in the central and paracentral area of the cornea

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Figure 2: On fluorescein staining, epithelial disruption leading to a circle of positive fluorescein staining

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Goldmann applanation tonometry is the gold standard for IOP assessment.[1] Goldmann bi-prism tip applanates the central cornea according to Imbert-Fick “law.” In a regular clinic, we disinfect the tonometer head using the alcohol swab. Ideally, the tonometer disinfection process should act rapidly; should not damage the tonometer tip; and should be non-toxic to the user. Three groups of commonly used disinfectants in eye care include alcohols, chlorine, and hydrogen peroxide. Cleaning the footplate with ether or alcohol swab was previously reported in the literature.[2] Epithelial disruption may occur during applanation, causing a circle of positive fluorescein staining as seen in this photograph [Figure 2]. Corneal epitheliopathy is characterized by a damage of the epithelium of the cornea in various patterns. Patients may present with non-specific symptoms such as red eye, foreign body sensation, photophobia, and burning. To the best of our knowledge, there was only one report of corneal epitheliopathy owing to applanation pressure in the literature.[3] Previously reported case of corneal applanation mark after use of tonometer was different from the present case in terms of patient's symptoms. The patient in our case had immediate symptoms of pain, redness, and burning sensation. In our case, some of isopropyl alcohol residue in the bi-prism might have contributed to epithelial disruption due loosening up of hemidesmosomes. Ophthalmologists, Optometrist, Vision technicians should give paramount importance in cleaning the probe as well as drying them before it is being used in patients.

The target sign epitheliopathy characteristically presents as a circular area of corneal epithelial disruption corresponds to the bi-prisms with a chemical residue. Hence, a prompt drying after alcohol cleaning of the bi-prism head not only offer effective disinfection but eliminate the risk of epithelial toxicity. Copious preservative-free topical lubricating eye drops and surface protection are the mainstays of the treatment.

Declaration of patient consent

The authors certify that they have obtained all appropriate patient consent forms. In the form the patient(s) has/have given his/her/their consent for his/her/their images and other clinical information to be reported in the journal. The patients understand that their names and initials will not be published and due efforts will be made to conceal their identity, but anonymity cannot be guaranteed.

Acknowledgments

Hyderabad Eye Research Foundation, India.

Financial support and sponsorship

Hyderabad Eye Research Foundation, India.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.



 
  References Top

1.
De Moraes CG, Prata TS, Liebmann J, Ritch R. Modalities of tonometry and their accuracy with respect to corneal thickness and irregularities. J Optom 2008;2:43-9.  Back to cited text no. 1
    
2.
Radhakrishnan S, Chen TC, Chen PP, Nouri-Mahdavi K, Lin SC, Singh K, et al. Disinfection of tonometers. Ophthalmology 2017;12:186775.  Back to cited text no. 2
    
3.
Al-Amry MA, Al-Ghadeer HA. Corneal epitheliopathy after trauma by fake snow powder in a 7-year-old child. Middle East Afr J Ophthalmol 2016;3:274-6.  Back to cited text no. 3
    


    Figures

  [Figure 1], [Figure 2]



 

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