Terrien's marginal degeneration of the cornea is distinguished from Mooren's ulcer by which key feature?
- A Terrien's involves central corneal thinning, Mooren's is exclusively peripheral
- B Terrien's causes vascularization, Mooren's never has blood vessels
- C Terrien's is non-inflammatory with superior lipid deposition and intact overlying epithelium, while Mooren's is an inflammatory painful ulcer with epithelial loss ✓
- D Both are bilateral, but Terrien's is always associated with rheumatoid arthritis
Correct answer: C. Terrien's is non-inflammatory with superior lipid deposition and intact overlying epithelium, while Mooren's is an inflammatory painful ulcer with epithelial loss
Explanation
Terrien's marginal degeneration is a non-inflammatory bilateral peripheral corneal ectasia (thinning) with an intact overlying epithelium and lipid deposition at the edge; it is painless. Mooren's ulcer is a painful, progressive, inflammatory peripheral corneal ulceration with epithelial loss, stromal melting, and vascularization. Mooren's is associated with autoimmune mechanisms. Both are peripheral conditions, but their inflammatory status and epithelial integrity are key differentiators.
Reference: Khurana Comprehensive Ophthalmology, 7th ed.
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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.