Microcystic Dystrophy of Corneal Epithelium

Authors:
  • JWJ. Reimer Wolter
    J. Reimer Wolter
  • FFF. Bruce Fralick
    F. Bruce Fralick
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Abstract
A new disease of the corneal epithelium called microcystic dystrophy was recently described by Cogan et al.1 Clinically, this typically exhibits bilateral groups of grayishwhite round or comma-shaped deposits in the corneal epithelium. The disease appears to be more common in women than in men, and has been observed to cause a slight reduction of visual acuity in some instances. The epithelial deposits may appear and disappear spontaneously without known association with any general disease or condition. When the corneal epithelium with the deposits has been stripped, the spots did not reappear.1 In one case,1 histologic study of cross sections of the epithelial layer with the deposits revealed the white deposits to represent intra-epithelial cysts containing pyknotic nuclei and cytoplasmatic debris. Abnormalities of the basement membrane were observed in the area of the deposits. A new case of microcystic dystrophy of the corneal epithelium with histologic study