Thermal/UV Keratopathy primarily damages which two layers of the cornea?

Thermal/UV Keratopathy primarily damages which two layers of the cornea?

• A. Epithelium and Stroma
• B. Epithelium and Bowman's Layer
• C. Endothelium and Descemet's Membrane
• D. Stroma and Endothelium

Answer: (B)

Thermal/UV keratopathy is an acute surface injury of the cornea caused by excessive UV exposure or heat. The outermost protective layer, the epithelium, takes the brunt of this insult and often shows cells damaged or sloughed, producing surface erosions and pain. Right beneath it, Bowman's layer is also affected by this superficial injury, contributing to surface haze. The deeper layers—the stroma, Descemet's membrane, and endothelium—are not the primary targets of this superficial keratopathy, unless the injury is more severe. Therefore, the two layers most consistently damaged are the epithelium and Bowman's layer.

Thermal/UV keratopathy is an acute surface injury of the cornea caused by excessive UV exposure or heat. The outermost protective layer, the epithelium, takes the brunt of this insult and often shows cells damaged or sloughed, producing surface erosions and pain. Right beneath it, Bowman's layer is also affected by this superficial injury, contributing to surface haze. The deeper layers—the stroma, Descemet's membrane, and endothelium—are not the primary targets of this superficial keratopathy, unless the injury is more severe. Therefore, the two layers most consistently damaged are the epithelium and Bowman's layer.