Corneal Dystrophies & Degeneration

WHAT IS CORNEAL DYSTROPHY?

Corneal dystrophy is a condition in which one or more parts of the cornea (transparent front part of the eye) loses clarity due to a buildup of cloudy material. Corneal dystrophies affect vision in differing ways. Some may cause severe visual impairment, while in some cases no visual problems are experienced. Other dystrophies may cause repeated episodes of pain, but without loss of vision. Corneal dystrophies have many traits:

• They are usually inherited.
• They affect the right and left eyes equally.
• They are not caused by outside factors, such as injury or diet.
• Most progress gradually.
• Most usually begin in one of the five corneal layers and may later spread to nearby layers.
• Most do not affect other parts of the body, nor are they related to diseases affecting other parts of the eye or body.
• Most can occur to healthy individuals.

WHAT IS CORNEAL DEGENERATION?

Corneal degeneration is the term used for the breakdown of the cornea. Corneal degenerations are fairly rare disorders that may be caused by genetic or environmental conditions. Most disorders that cause corneal degeneration are inherited. Among these hereditary diseases are the two most common, keratoconus and Fuch's endothelial dystrophy.

HOW IS A CORNEAL DYSTROPHY/DEGENERATION TREATED?

If a person has a corneal dystrophy or has suffered trauma causing the cornea to become cloudy, a corneal transplant (penetrating keratoplasty) can be performed. During this delicate operation, the surgeon removes some or all of the patient's cloudy cornea and replaces it with a cornea donated by a previously healthy person. The surgery is done in an operating room with anesthesia numbing the eye and the tissue surrounding the eye. Though the best vision is not realized for up to a year following a corneal transplant, it does gradually improve over time. Numerous visits after surgery  are required to be sure the new cornea is healing properly. Because donor tissue is in relatively short supply and the healing period is relatively long, we do not suggest a corneal transplant until it is the best remaining option for the patient. The success rate of corneal transplants is high with proper surgical technique and proper postoperative follow up care.