• Reference Number: HEY1682/2026
• Departments: Ophthalmology Department
• Last Updated: 30 June 2026

Introduction

This leaflet has been produced to give you general information about your condition. Most of your questions should be answered by this leaflet. It is not intended to replace the discussion between you and your doctor but may act as a starting point for discussion. If after reading it you have any concerns or require further explanation, please discuss this with a member of the healthcare team caring for you.

What is a Recurrent Corneal Erosion Syndrome (RCES)?

Recurrent Corneal Erosion Syndrome is a condition where the thin surface layer of the cornea (clear front window of the eye) doesn’t attach firmly to the layer underneath.

This can cause the surface to repeatedly become irritated or loosen, resulting in episodes of pain and discomfort.

What causes it?

The two most common causes are:

• Previous eye trauma (i.e. a fingernail scratch, paper cut, or tree branch injury)
• Corneal dystrophies i.e. epithelial basement membrane dystrophy.

Other contributing factors include dry eye disease, diabetes, and eyelid disorders.

Symptoms may include:

• Intermittent pain – can be mild or severe. The pain is usually worse on waking up.
• Foreign body sensation
• Sensitivity to light
• Blurred vision
• Watery eyes
• Redness

What is the treatment?

Initial treatment

• Artificial tears – Lubricating eye drops help keep the cornea moist, reducing friction between the eyelid & cornea. This will help reduce further episodes of recurrent surface breakdown
• Night ointment/ gel – Applying a n ointment or gel at bedtime can prevent the eyelids from sticking to the cornea during sleep.
• Chloramphenicol ointment – antibiotic eye ointment is given to prevent infection and lubricate the eye.

Further treatment

• Loose surface layer of the cornea may be removed by the practitioner.
• If no improvement a Bandage Contact Lens (BCL) may be inserted over the affected area – a BCL protects the cornea while it repairs, preventing further damage.

Can there be any complications or risks?

To reduce the risk of further erosions, the long-term use of lubricating eye drops and ointment is essential.

The regular use of thick eye ointment at night, and artificial tear drops during the day, provide a barrier between the lid and the cornea. This reduces friction and helps prevent the cornea from sticking to the lid.

If you have frequent recurrences despite regular use of lubricants, additional treatment options may be considered – such as removing the excess tissue from the cornea or fitting a long-term contact lens, known as a bandage contact lens.

Long term complications are rare with recurrent corneal erosion syndrome. Infection may occur, however only very few patients will develop permanent corneal scarring which may affect their vision.

If the above treatment options aren’t successful, surgery may be needed.

The 2 types of surgery available are:

• Alcohol delamination – a safe and effective treatment which uses alcohol to remove the damaged cornea. This lets new healthy tissue re-grow.
• Photoreactive Keratectomy (PTK) – usually considered when all other treatments haven’t worked. A laser beam is used to remove the top layer of the cornea, allowing the cornea to grow back healthier and reduce the risk of further corneal erosions.

When to seek advice

A recurrent ocular conditions (ROC) card will be given to you; this gives you access to be re booked back into the eye clinic should your symptoms return.

If your eye becomes more red or painful or your sight becomes more blurred, you should telephone the Eye Clinic on Tel: 01482 816658

Should you require further advice on the issues contained in this leaflet, please do not hesitate to contact the Ophthalmology Triage Nurses on Tel: 01482 816658.

General Advice and Consent

Most of your questions should have been answered by this leaflet, but remember that this is only a starting point for discussion with the healthcare team.

Consent to treatment

Before any doctor, nurse or therapist examines or treats you, they must seek your consent or permission. In order to make a decision, you need to have information from health professionals about the treatment or investigation which is being offered to you. You should always ask them more questions if you do not understand or if you want more information.

The information you receive should be about your condition, the alternatives available to you, and whether it carries risks as well as the benefits. What is important is that your consent is genuine or valid. That means:

• you must be able to give your consent
• you must be given enough information to enable you to make a decision
• you must be acting under your own free will and not under the strong influence of another person

Information about you

We collect and use your information to provide you with care and treatment. As part of your care, information about you will be shared between members of a healthcare team, some of whom you may not meet. Your information may also be used to help train staff, to check the quality of our care, to manage and plan the health service, and to help with research. Wherever possible we use anonymous data.

We may pass on relevant information to other health organisations that provide you with care. All information is treated as strictly confidential and is not given to anyone who does not need it. If you have any concerns please ask your doctor, or the person caring for you.

Under the General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018 we are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of any information we hold about you. For further information visit the following page: Confidential Information about You.

If you or your carer needs information about your health and wellbeing and about your care and treatment in a different format, such as large print, braille or audio, due to disability, impairment or sensory loss, please advise a member of staff and this can be arranged.