Scanning electron microscopy of congenital corneal leukomas (Peters' anomaly)

Abstract

Specimens of three corneas in two patients with Peter's anomaly were obtained at the time of penetrating keratoplasty and studied by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. In one patient, the anomaly was monocular, and the endothelial surface showed a central defect in Descemet's layer with isolated rounded defects in the midperiphery. Fine collagenous material covered the posterior surface. The other two specimens were obtained from a patient with rubella syndrome without cataracts. The cornea showed malformation of Descemet's membrane with fibroblastic overgrowth on the endothelial layer. Epithelial-like cells and leukocytes were also found. The congenital central leukoma we believe was caused by adhesion of the pupillary membrane in our first patient, and possibly was inflammatory in our second patient.