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What is lattice dystrophy? | Treatment | Consequences

What is lattice dystrophy?

Lattice dystrophy is an accumulation of abnormal protein fibers called amyloid deposits in the middle and anterior stroma layers of the cornea. The stroma, found behind the epithelium, makes up about ninety percent of the cornea. It is made up of seventy-eight percent water and sixteen percent protein fibers. The shape, arrangement, and spacing of the fibers are critical to creating the light-conducting transparency of the cornea. The stroma gives the cornea its form, elasticity, and strength. Lattice dystrophy can occur anytime during a person's life, but usually appears between the ages of two and seven.

Amyloid deposits are comma-shaped dots with filaments that branch out and overlap each other to create a lattice effect. Gradually, the lattice lines become opaque and involve more of the stroma. As the lattice lines progressively grow together, the cornea gets cloudy and vision is reduced. Protein can also accumulate under the epithelium, causing poor adhesion between the stroma and epithelium. This results in periodic epithelial erosions. The erosion changes the cornea's normal curvature, which can cause temporary vision problems such as nearsightedness or astigmatism. Nerves that line the cornea can also become exposed causing such severe pain that even blinking can be painful.

If you are experiencing some of the symptoms described here, it does not necessarily mean you have lattice dystrophy. However, if you experience one or more of these symptoms, you should contact your eye doctor for a complete exam. Click here for information on emergency or immediate care.

Treatment

If erosion exposes nerves in the cornea, eye drops and ointment may be used to reduce pain. A patch may also be used to immobilize the eye. It generally takes about ten days for the pain to go away, but it may reoccur for several weeks. If scarring is severe, a corneal transplant may be required.

Consequences

By the time they reach middle age, some people suffering from lattice dystrophy develop scarring under the epithelium, which can result in a haze in the cornea. If it is severe enough, a cornea transplant may be required. After a few years, lattice dystrophy can develop in the donor cornea.