Linear endotheliitis.

We treated six eyes of five patients with linear endotheliitis. This entity appears clinically as a line of keratic precipitates on the corneal endothelium that progresses centrally and is accompanied by peripheral stromal and epithelial edema. All five patients had ocular pain, redness, and photophobia. One eye had an episode of a dendritic lesion typical of herpes simplex. Two eyes had a history of cataract extraction before developing linear endotheliitis. We treated all patients aggressively with a combination of corticosteroids and antiviral agents. Complete resolution of inflammation and edema occurred in all cases. Four patients required the use of oral acyclovir to control the inflammation and prevent recurrence of the disease. Linear endothelitis is a distinct form of endotheliitis that may be associated with herpes simplex virus, and treatment included corticosteroid and antiviral therapy.