Corneal dystrophies are abnormal developments
affecting the cornea
of the eye.
The clearness (transparency) of the cornea is affected, though without
necessarily any inflammation, infection, or other eye disease being present
in the same eye. Vision through the affected eye may or may not be affected.
Corneal dystrophies are quite rare eye conditions that
usually occur early in life (by the time a person reaches his or her twenties).
The first cause considered is genetic, that is inherited, passed-on through
familes.
There are many types of corneal dystrophy. They are
described in different ways, in some cases referring to the particular
layer of the cornea that is affected.
Types of corneal dystrophy include epithelial dystrophies
and stromal dystrophies. Specific examples include :
- Epithelial basement membrane dystrophy - which is the most
common epithelial dystrophy.
- Meesman's dystrophy - very rare, usually affects both eyes
equally, may be diagnosed in infancy without symptoms developing until
early adulthood or later. (Cause unknown.)
- Reis-Bücklers dystrophy - affects both eyes equally.
Symptoms include light sensitivity and 'foreign body' sensations. Vision
is adversely affected by the surface of the cornea becoming hazy and
irregular.
- Thiel-Behnke dystrophy - is rare and usually diagnosed in
childhood when individual crumb-like granules can be seen in the anterior
stroma.
- Lattice dystrophies - initial symptoms include 'foreign body'
sensations and mild deterioration in vision. When viewed using a microscope,
very fine lines can be seen in the cornea.
- Granular dystrophy - vision does not deteriorate initially
grey-ish dots on the cornea are visible through a microscope. Slowly,
the dots become larger and more numerous. Eventually they become visible
to the naked eye.
- Fuchs'
endothelial dystrophy - generally occurs (sometimes intermittently)
later in life, when small whitish spots may be seen on the inner surface
of the cornea.
More about Ophthalmology: This section includes short definitions
of many diseases, disorders, and conditions of the eyes and visual system.
For definitions of other terms in this category, choose from the list
to the left (but note that this is not a complete/exhaustive list).
Other related pages include the diagram
of the eye, and definitions
of parts of the eye, a description
of the human retina, and definitions
of parts of the retina, and the section of short definitions
of clinical and surgical procedures re. eyes and human visual system.
For further information see also our section of Books
about Ophthalmology. |
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This Section
is about
Diseases
and Disorders of the Eyes and Visual System.
To read about other diseases, disorders, or conditions of the eye and
human visual system, use the links on the left-side of this page.
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