Age-related changes in the cornea.

The optometrist observes and must distinguish between physiologic and pathologic changes in the cornea. This paper deals with normal, physiologic age-related corneal changes. Age-related changes are those that occur over the entire life span, not merely in senescence. They include changes in corneal curvature, toricity, diameter, asphericity, thickness, tactile sensitivity, and a variety of senescent changes. The senescent changes of the cornea include a reduction in epithelial luster, dellen, microcystic dystrophy, the Hudson-Stahli line, crocodile shagreen, the white limbus girdle of Vogt, an increase in stromal relucency, cornea farinata, arcus senilis, Hassall-Henle warts, guttata, a reduction in endothelial cell count and Krukenberg's spindle.