eMedicine Specialties > Ophthalmology > Cornea

Dystrophy, Lattice: Follow-up

Author: Natalie Afshari, MD, MA, FACS, Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, Duke University Eye Center, Duke University Medical Center
Coauthor(s): William B Trattler, MD, Ophthalmologist, The Center for Excellence in Eye Care; Volunteer Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute; William Lloyd Clark, MD, Consulting Staff, Palmetto Retina
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Jan 26, 2010

Follow-up

Further Outpatient Care

  • Patients with lattice corneal dystrophy who have recurrent erosions should receive regular follow-up care.

Complications

  • Complications of lattice corneal dystrophy include loss of vision and painful recurrent corneal erosions.

Prognosis

  • The prognosis is good; symptomatic patients are eligible for either laser phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) or corneal transplant.

Patient Education

  • Patients need to understand that this is a genetically inherited condition, which they can pass on to their children.

Miscellaneous

Medicolegal Pitfalls

  • Early detection and treatment may decrease the chance of loss of visual acuity.

Special Concerns

  • A variant of lattice dystrophy is called Avellino dystrophy. Its genetic defect has also been mapped to chromosome 5q. In this condition, lattice deposits develop in the cornea years after the typical granular deposits have developed. With age, the deposits enlarge and form a corneal haze. The symptoms are similar to lattice dystrophy, with pain and photophobia due to recurrent corneal erosions.
  • Avellino dystrophy is managed in a similar manner to lattice corneal dystrophy. For excessive recurrent corneal erosions, phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) with the excimer laser can be performed. For patients with vision loss and unsuccessful PTK, a corneal transplant can be performed. The deposits can recur in the donor cornea.
  • Children of patients with lattice corneal dystrophy should be monitored once they reach puberty since this condition has autosomal dominant inheritance.
 


More on Dystrophy, Lattice

Overview: Dystrophy, Lattice
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Dystrophy, Lattice
Treatment & Medication: Dystrophy, Lattice
Follow-up: Dystrophy, Lattice
Multimedia: Dystrophy, Lattice
References
[ CLOSE WINDOW ]

References

  1. Stone EM, Mathers WD, Rosenwasser GO, et al. Three autosomal dominant corneal dystrophies map to chromosome 5q. Nat Genet. 1994;6(1):47-51. [Medline].

  2. Das S, Langenbucher A, Seitz B. Excimer laser phototherapeutic keratectomy for granular and lattice corneal dystrophy: a comparative study. J Refract Surg. Nov-Dec 2005;21(6):727-31. [Medline].

  3. Resch MD, Schlotzer-Schrehardt U, Hofmann-Rummelt C, Kruse FE, Seitz B. Alterations of epithelial adhesion molecules and basement membrane components in lattice corneal dystrophy (LCD). Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. Aug 2009;247(8):1081-8. [Medline].

  4. Albert D, Jakobiec F. Principles and Practice of Ophthalmology. Vol 1. 1994:26-49.

  5. Das S, Langenbucher A, Seitz B. Delayed healing of corneal epithelium after phototherapeutic keratectomy for lattice dystrophy. Cornea. Apr 2005;24(3):283-7. [Medline].

  6. Kawashima M, Yamada M, Funayama T, et al. Six cases of late-onset lattice corneal dystrophy associated with gene mutations induced by the transforming growth factor-beta. Nippon Ganka Gakkai Zasshi. Feb 2005;109(2):93-100. [Medline].

  7. Krachmer J. Cornea (3 volume set). Vol 2. 1996.

  8. Mashima Y, Yamamoto S, Inoue Y, et al. Association of autosomal dominantly inherited corneal dystrophies with BIGH3 gene mutations in Japan. Am J Ophthalmol. Oct 2000;130(4):516-7. [Medline].

[ CLOSE WINDOW ]

Further Reading

[ CLOSE WINDOW ]

Keywords

lattice dystrophy, corneal dystrophy, stromal dystrophy, stromal dystrophies, corneal erosion, corneal transplant, phototherapeutic keratectomy, PTK, treatment, diagnosis, symptoms

[ CLOSE WINDOW ]

Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Natalie Afshari, MD, MA, FACS, Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, Duke University Eye Center, Duke University Medical Center
Natalie Afshari, MD, MA, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, and Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

William B Trattler, MD, Ophthalmologist, The Center for Excellence in Eye Care; Volunteer Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute
William B Trattler, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology and American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

William Lloyd Clark, MD, Consulting Staff, Palmetto Retina
William Lloyd Clark, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Ophthalmology, and Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Fernando H Murillo-Lopez, MD, Senior Surgeon, Unidad Privada de Oftalmologia CEMES
Fernando H Murillo-Lopez, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: eMedicine Salary Employment

Managing Editor

Christopher J Rapuano, MD, Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University; Co-Chairman of the Cornea Service, Co-Chairman of Refractive Surgery Department, Wills Eye Institute
Christopher J Rapuano, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists, Cornea Society, Eye Bank Association of America, International Society of Refractive Surgery, and Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology
Disclosure: Allergan Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Allergan Consulting fee Consulting; Alcon Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Inspire Honoraria Speaking and teaching; RPS Ownership interest Other; Vistakon Honoraria Speaking and teaching; EyeGate Pharma  Consulting; Inspire Consulting fee Consulting; Bausch & Lomb Honoraria Speaking and teaching

CME Editor

Lance L Brown, OD, MD, Ophthalmologist, Affiliated With Freeman Hospital and St John's Hospital, Regional Eye Center, Joplin, Missouri
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Hampton Roy Sr, MD, Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Hampton Roy Sr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, and Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
HONcode

We subscribe to the
HONcode principles of the
Health On the Net Foundation

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright© 1994- by Medscape.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

DISCLAIMER: The content of this Website is not influenced by sponsors. The site is designed primarily for use by qualified physicians and other medical professionals. The information contained herein should NOT be used as a substitute for the advice of an appropriately qualified and licensed physician or other health care provider. The information provided here is for educational and informational purposes only. In no way should it be considered as offering medical advice. Please check with a physician if you suspect you are ill.