Causes And Diagnoses

Causes and Diagnoses of Corneal Dystrophy

The causes of corneal dystrophy are as varied as the dystrophies themselves. Some causes include: 

• Faulty endothelial cells, the corneal cells that keep your eyes lubricated. Excess fluids build up in your cornea, causing swelling, thickening of the cornea and blurry vision. 
• Fatty deposits or cholesterol built up in the cornea
• Protein deposits in the cornea
• Gene mutation

Many corneal dystrophies are inherited conditions. If someone in your family has it, you have a greater chance of developing it to some degree. 

Diagnosing corneal dystrophy

During your eye exam, your physician will use a number of instruments to look for signs of corneal dystrophy, including: 

• Swelling of the cornea
• A hazy, rather than a clear, cornea
• Bumps on the back surface of the cornea
• Corneal thickening
• High pressure in the eye

Diagnostic tests may include:

• Visual acuity test: This common eye chart test measures vision ability at various distances using a series of lenses.
• Tonometry: This standard test determines the intraocular pressure (IOP) inside the eye.
• Pachymetry: This test measures the thickness of your cornea using an ultrasonic wave instrument.
• Corneal cell count: This test counts the shape, size and number of the cells in the back of your cornea.