keratocyte vacuoles

Corneal Dystrophy, Macular

Clinical Characteristics
Ocular Features: 

Macular corneal dystrophy is a progressive, bilateral disorder with increasing corneal cloudiness throughout life. The onset of corneal haze is variable.  It can be seen in infancy but usually becomes apparent in the second or later decades of life.  Visual impairment can be severe, especially by mid-life.  The stroma, Descemet membrane, and endothelium are involved as keratocytes and endothelial cells accumulate intracytoplasmic vacuoles of glycosaminoglycans.  Corneal thickness is reduced, presumably due to abnormally dense packing of collagen fibrils in the stroma.  The epithelium does not seem to be involved.

Based on immunohistochemical profiles of inclusions, as well as phenotypic differences, attempts have been made to distinguish at least three types of macular dystrophy, I, IA, and II.  This may not be justified as the same gene is involved, and especially since several types have been described within the same inbred family.  Most likely these are variations in the phenotypic expression of the same gene, a  feature of many genetic disorders.

Systemic Features: 

No extraocular abnormalities have been associated with this disorder.  However, variations in serum levels of antigenic keratin sulfate have been found.

Genetics

Homozygous mutations in the CHST6 gene (16q22) are responsible for this autosomal recessive corneal dystrophy.  More than 100 mutations have been found.

Pedigree: 
Autosomal recessive
Treatment
Treatment Options: 

Full thickness and deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty can improve vision and relieve symptoms but the disease can recur in the graft.  More than 40% of grafts have recurrent opacities after 10 years.  The recurrence risk is higher in patients with disease onset at age 18 years or younger and in those who had keratoplasty before the age of 30 years.

References
Article Title: 

Macular Corneal Dystrophy: A Review

Aggarwal S, Peck T, Golen J, Karcioglu ZA. Macular Corneal Dystrophy: A Review. Surv Ophthalmol. 2018 Mar 28. pii: S0039-6257(17)30101-7. doi: 10.1016/j.survophthal.2018.03.004. [Epub ahead of print] Review.

PubMed ID: 
29604391
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