Corneal Dystrophy, Fleck
Many gene mutations cause corneal disease, generally called dystrophies (degenerations). Some cause a diffuse cloudiness but others like this one causes more discrete opacities. All of them can impact vision as the normally clear windshield of the eye (cornea) becomes variably opaque and blocks some of the light entering the eye.
A gene mutation causes deposition of abnormal material in the cornea. Multiple small opacities appear throughout the normally clear cornea. They may be few in number but sometimes in such quantities that they block some of the light that normally would enter the pupil. These opacities may appear flat, round or oval, and sometimes resemble snowflakes. No systemic disease is associated.
This is an autosomal dominant disorder in which the mutation is passed directly from parent to child in a vertical pattern.
Many individuals who inherit this mutation have no vision problems and others are minimally affected. Life span is normal and treatment is usually not required.