Characteristic distribution of deposits in recurrent granular corneal dystrophy

Abstract

Granular corneal dystrophy can recur after penetrating keratoplasty. In those cases as in the early primary manifestation of the disease, deposits are found predominantly in the superficial corneal layers. At a later stage, stromal deposits can also be seen. We describe an additional particular location of deposits and correlate clinical with histological findings in three corneas from two patients. Deposits were found mainly superficially within the graft and around the edge of the transplant along the scar between host and donor cornea. We suggest that the deposits are of epithelial origin, though their production by stromal cells cannot be excluded. Chemical interactions are discussed as an explanation for the characteristic distribution of the deposits.