Acute Hydrops of the Cornea in Keratoconus.
- Author:
Hong Bok KIM
1
;
Jang Sool KWON
;
Joon Dal YOUN
;
Oh Woong KWON
Author Information
1. Department of Ophthalmology, Yonsei University, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- Publication Type:Case Report
- MeSH:
Adolescent;
Astigmatism;
Basement Membrane;
Bowman Membrane;
Cicatrix;
Cornea*;
Corneal Stroma;
Descemet Membrane;
Diagnosis;
Edema*;
Epithelium;
Female;
Humans;
Keratoconus*;
Nerve Fibers;
Puberty;
Reading;
Reflex;
Rupture;
Zea mays
- From:Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society
1978;19(4):479-483
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Keratoconus (conical cornea) is a condition, beginning about puberty and developing mainly in females, in which the apex of the cornea thins gradually and usually bilaterally. The etiology is unknown. The presenting symptom is a reduction of the patient's vision owing to the development of a high degree of irregular myopic astigmatism. Early in the course of the disease the cornea does not look conical. The diagnosis of Keratoconus is confirmed by the distorted reflex observed with a Placido's disc and abnormal keratometer readings. In more advanced stages, signs include the obvious cone-shaped cornea and indentation of the lower lid by the cornea. By slit lamp biomicroscopy, vertical lines are noted in the deep layers of the stroma: the corneal nerve fibers are increasingly visible; and in about 50% of cases a yellow or green line is present around the base of the corn (Fleischer's ring). In advanced cases Bowman's membrane and Descemet's membrane rupture. Microscopically there is thinning of the tissue spaces between the corneal lamellae, fragmentation of the basement membrane of the comeal epithelium, fibrillation of Bowman's membrane, and folds or ruptures in Descemet's membrane. Acute hydrops may occur when Descemet's membrane ruptures. This is characterized by sudden cloudiness of vision due to imbibition of aqueous in the corneal stroma. However, as Descemet's membrane regenerates, the edema subsides. Permanent scarring may result if Bowman's membrane ruptures. Acute hydrops of the cornea was developed respectively in left eye on Oct, 1976 and in right eye on Dec, 1976 in a 13 year old Korean girl with Keratoconus O.U.
