Corneal changes in spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia tarda.

BACKGROUND

A new type of corneal opacity with prominent corneal nerve fibers as an ocular complication of spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia tarda (SEDT).

CASE

A 58-year-old woman, diagnosed with SEDT at 5 years of age, underwent a complete ophthalmological examination.

OBSERVATIONS

The patient had no complaints and no history of eye disease. No relatives were reported to have suffered from SEDT. Slit-lamp examination disclosed a diffuse opacity in the central cornea in both eyes, which was localized in the middle to deep stroma. Dot opacities in the central and paracentral cornea were located in the middle of the stroma in both eyes. Optically clear regions were observed in the peripheral cornea of both eyes. More interestingly, corneal nerve fibers were visible passing from the limbus to the central cornea in both eyes.

RESULTS

The etiology of the corneal opacities of this patient with SEDT is unknown. However, collagen and proteoglycan abnormalities in the skin of patients with SEDT have been reported. Therefore, such abnormalities may also be present in the cornea and these alterations may lead to corneal complications.