Introduction

• Cause: lipid deposition in the cornea may occur:
  • As a primary problem related to lipid handling by keratocytes.
  • As a problem secondary to a circulating lipid disorder.
  • As a problem secondary to pre-existing corneal pathology.
• Signs: corneal opacity.
• Diagnosis: ophthalmology/slit lamp biomicroscopy.
• Treatment: dietary manipulation to reduce the speed of lesion progression. Superficial keratectomy to remove lipid deposits in severe cases.
• Lipid deposition in the cornea may be classed as:
  • Corneal lipid dystrophy  (bilateral inherited disease with no predisposing systemic or local cause).
  • Lipid keratopathy  (lipid deposition in site of pre-existing corneal pathology, especially vascularization).
  • Corneal arcus deposition next to a limbal mass.
  • Arcus lipoides corneae with systemic elevated plasma lipid.

Pathogenesis

Etiology

• Related to abnormal lipid metabolism by corneal fibroblasts.

Predisposing factors

• High lipid containing diet possibly associated.

Pathophysiology

• Corneal dystrophy is:
  • Inherited.
  • Bilateral.
  • Not associated with systemic circulating lipid abnormalities.

Diagnosis

Treatment

Outcomes