There are a number of heritable corneal dystrophies that are characterized by the accumulation of abnormal material in the cornea. These diseases are typically classified depending on which of the three levels of the cornea they primarily affect. Anterior corneal dystrophies include map-dot-fingerprint dystrophy and Reis-Bückler's dystrophy. Stromal dystrophies include granular, lattice, and Avellino dystrophy. Posterior corneal dystrophies include Fuch's dystrophy and posterior polymorphous dystrohy (PPMD). All of these corneal dystrophies are potentially blinding disorders which frequently require corneal transplantation to improve visual acuity.
Research assistant Chris Taylor places samples in the DNA thermal cycler.
We have made significant progressive in the genetic characterization of a number of these corneal dystrophies, as outlined below.
Lattice, granular, and Avellino dystrophies
Posterior polymorphous corneal dystrophy
