What is a stromal abscess?

• A. A pocket of epithelial healing
• B. A pocket of stromal damage which does not stain and abscesses after epithelial healing
• C. A pocket of Descemet's membrane
• D. A collection of tears in the conjunctiva

Answer: (B)

A stromal abscess is a localized collection of pus within the corneal stroma that often becomes evident after the surface epithelium has begun to heal. The key point is its intrastromal location and the way it behaves on staining: fluorescein marks epithelial defects, so once the epithelium is closed, the stromal abscess may not stain, even though a purulent pocket exists beneath. This matches the description of a pocket of stromal damage that does not stain and abscesses after epithelial healing. The other options describe processes or locations on or around the surface or in other tissues (epithelial healing, Descemet's membrane, or conjunctiva) and do not reflect an intrastromal abscess.