Corneal Degeneration
Corneal degeneration is the breakdown or degeneration of corneal tissue that cause deterioration and can also sometimes impair function. It occurs rarely and gradually.
- Deposition of material, thinning of tissue, and vascularization
- Peripheral corneal location with or without vessels
- Often unilateral (affects one eye)
- Asymmetrical
- No genetic predisposition
- Late onset and occurs in individuals over 40 years of age
Corneal degeneration disorders are generally caused due environmental conditions. The main causes of corneal degeneration include the following:
- Age
- Injury or trauma to the eye
- Infection and inflammation
- Vitamin A deficiency
- Systemic diseases
- Oxidative stress
- Other environmental factors, such as excessive exposure to UV radiation
- Keratoconus
- Fuchs’s endothelial dystrophy
- Corneal ulcers
Cornea can degenerate because of the above mentioned reasons and many more. Depending upon the cause, following types of corneal degeneration can occur:
Age related:
- Arcus senilis
- Vogt’s white limbal girdle
- Crocodile shagreen
- Cornea guttata
Corneal Degenerations with Material Deposits
- Salzmann’s nodular degeneration
- Band keratopathy degeneration
- Lipid keratopathy:
- Primary
- Secondary
- Spheroidal keratopathy
- Vortex keratopathy
Corneal Degenerations with Tissue Thinning:
- Terrien’s marginal degeneration
- Dellen
Others:
- White limbal girdle of Vogt
- Furrow degeneration
- Mooren’s ulcer
Most of the corneal degeneration are asymptomatic and visually insignificant but some may cause pain and profound loss of vision.
Treatment typically depends upon the type of degeneration and is best decided by the treating eye doctor. Correct diagnosis is required for therapeutic choice and the efficacy of clinical outcomes.
- Medical therapy consists of lubrication, warm compresses, eye hygiene, topical steroids, and/or oral doxycycline.
- Most cases of corneal degeneration require a corneal transplant, as the degenerated cornea does not regenerate.