A 32-year old male presents with pain and an epithelial defect that stains with sodium fluorescein. What is the most appropriate diagnosis?

The presentation of a 32-year-old male with pain and an epithelial defect that stains with sodium fluorescein suggests a disruption in the corneal epithelium. The diagnosis of recurrent corneal abrasion is particularly fitting for this case because it implies that the patient has experienced previous episodes of corneal epithelial defects, typically due to transient adherence issues between the epithelium and the underlying basement membrane.

Recurrent corneal abrasions often occur in individuals with a history of corneal epithelial issues, such as persistent epithelial defects or previous injury. The staining pattern with sodium fluorescein indicates an epithelial defect consistent with abrasions, and if this demonstrates a cyclical pattern or a history of past abrasions, it strongly supports the diagnosis of recurrent corneal abrasion.

In this context, a corneal ulcer, which is more indicative of an infectious process, would generally present with more severe signs of inflammation, such as a white infiltrate and potentially additional systemic symptoms. Epithelial basement membrane dystrophy could create a pattern of recurrent erosions but does not quite align with the acute presentation of pain and the clear staining pattern described. Lastly, a corneal abrasion could describe a single instance of epithelial trauma, but without context suggesting a novel injury, the