eMedicine Specialties > Ophthalmology > Cornea

Dystrophy, Crystalline: Follow-up

Author: Jayne S Weiss, MD, Professor of Ophthalmology, Director of Refractive Surgery, Kresge Eye Institute, Wayne State University
Coauthor(s): Brad Spagnolo, MD, Ophthalmology, Baltimore-Washington Eye Center
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Jul 11, 2008

Follow-up

Further Outpatient Care

  • Patients should receive follow-up care as needed.

Prognosis

  • Results of clinical examination have shown that crystalline deposits are present in only 51% of patients with SCCD.
  • Some patients have been documented to have unilateral crystalline deposition. Therefore, the crystalline aspect of SCCD is a continuum; some people manifest crystals bilaterally, some unilaterally, and others not at all.
  • While SCCD may be diagnosed easily during the first decade of life, the diagnosis of patients with SCCD sine crystals is more challenging and is reported to be delayed up to the fourth decade. Why the corneal cholesterol forms crystals in some patients, but not in others, remains unclear.
  • Contrary to prior reports, many patients with SCCD eventually require corneal transplantation because of glare and decreased vision in daylight.

Patient Education

Miscellaneous

Medicolegal Pitfalls

  • Given the increased risk of hyperlipidemia in patients with SCCD and their relatives, making the correct diagnosis, referring the patient for a medical examination, and providing appropriate treatment (if necessary) are important.
 


More on Dystrophy, Crystalline

Overview: Dystrophy, Crystalline
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Dystrophy, Crystalline
Treatment & Medication: Dystrophy, Crystalline
Follow-up: Dystrophy, Crystalline
Multimedia: Dystrophy, Crystalline
References
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References

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Further Reading

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Keywords

crystalline dystrophy, Schnyder's crystalline corneal dystrophy, SCCD, Schnyder corneal dystrophy, SCD, hereditary crystalline stromal dystrophy of Schnyder, corneal crystalline dystrophy of Schnyder, crystalline stromal dystrophy, central stromal crystalline corneal dystrophy, Schnyder crystalline dystrophy sine crystals

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Jayne S Weiss, MD, Professor of Ophthalmology, Director of Refractive Surgery, Kresge Eye Institute, Wayne State University
Jayne S Weiss, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Ophthalmological Society, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Eye Bank Association of America, and Phi Beta Kappa
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Brad Spagnolo, MD, Ophthalmology, Baltimore-Washington Eye Center
Brad Spagnolo, 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.

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

Simon K Law, MD, PharmD, Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, Jules Stein Eye Institute; Chief of Section of Ophthalmology Surgical Services, Department of Veterans Affairs Healthcare Center, West Los Angeles
Simon K Law, MD, PharmD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Glaucoma Society, and Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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, Eye Bank Association of America, Pennsylvania Medical Society, and Philadelphia County Medical Society
Disclosure: Allergan Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Allergan Consulting fee Consulting; Alcon Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Inspire Honoraria Speaking and teaching; RPS Ownership interest Other

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.

 
 
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