Pellucid Marginal Degeneration
- Author: Karim Rasheed, MD, MSc; Chief Editor: Hampton Roy Sr, MD more...
Background
Schalaeppi first coined the term pellucid marginal degeneration in 1957. This bilateral, noninflammatory, peripheral corneal thinning disorder is characterized by a peripheral band of thinning of the inferior cornea. The cornea in and adjacent to the thinned area is ectatic.
Pathophysiology
The etiology of pellucid marginal degeneration has not been clearly established, but collagen abnormalities, as seen in keratoconus, have been reported. The thinned and presumably weakened cornea may protrude as a result of the positive intraocular pressure.
Epidemiology
Frequency
United States
Pellucid marginal degeneration is rare, and the exact incidence and prevalence are unknown. However, the incidence may be considerably underestimated, as this condition is often misdiagnosed as keratoconus.
Mortality/Morbidity
- Deterioration of visual function results from the irregular astigmatism induced by asymmetric distortion of the cornea. The deterioration in visual function is commonly severe.
- Refractive surgery, such as photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), can cause severe corneal haze, and results with laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) may be unpredictable.
Race
No racial preponderance has been identified.
Sex
An equal distribution exists between the sexes.
Age
Patients usually are aged 20-40 years at the time of clinical presentation.
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