Corneal dystrophies. II. Endothelial dystrophies

Surv Ophthalmol. 1978 Nov-Dec;23(3):147-68. doi: 10.1016/0039-6257(78)90151-0.

Abstract

In general, endothelial dystrophies present three types of clinical manifestations: 1) production of collagenous tissue posterior to Descemet's membrane which appears as cornea guttata, polymorphic excrescences or gray sheets; 2) a disrupted endothelial mosaic in specular reflection; and 3) corneal edema as a reflection of decreased endothelial barrier and pump functions. In this review, the authors discuss three endothelial dystrophies -- Fuchs', posterior polymorphous and congenital hereditary. They describe the clinical, histopathologic and biochemical features, and illustrate each dystrophy with a composite drawing. Dystrophies of the epithelium, Bowman's layer, and stroma were reviewed separately in the September-October 1978 issue of this journal.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cornea / pathology
  • Cornea / ultrastructure
  • Corneal Dystrophies, Hereditary / diagnosis*
  • Corneal Dystrophies, Hereditary / genetics
  • Corneal Dystrophies, Hereditary / pathology
  • Descemet Membrane / pathology
  • Endothelium / pathology
  • Epithelium / pathology
  • Female
  • Fuchs' Endothelial Dystrophy / diagnosis
  • Fuchs' Endothelial Dystrophy / pathology
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning