Granular corneal dystrophy
Granular Corneal Dystrophy (GCD), also known as Groenouw type I dystrophy, is a rare, inherited eye disorder that primarily affects the cornea, the clear, front surface of the eye. This condition is characterized by the accumulation of granular deposits within the cornea, leading to visual impairment. Granular corneal dystrophy is classified as a type of corneal dystrophy, a group of genetic, progressive eye disorders that can affect the clarity and health of the cornea.
Causes and Genetics[edit | edit source]
Granular corneal dystrophy is caused by mutations in the TGFBI (transforming growth factor, beta-induced) gene, located on chromosome 5q31. This gene is responsible for producing a protein that plays a crucial role in the development and maintenance of the cornea. Mutations in the TGFBI gene lead to the abnormal accumulation of protein in the cornea, forming granular deposits that can impair vision. The condition is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner, meaning only one copy of the altered gene is necessary to cause the disorder.
Symptoms[edit | edit source]
The primary symptom of granular corneal dystrophy is the presence of granular, opaque deposits in the cornea. These deposits typically appear in the first or second decade of life and can progress, leading to:
- Decreased visual acuity
- Increased sensitivity to light (photophobia)
- Foreign body sensation in the eye
Symptoms can vary significantly in severity among affected individuals, and in some cases, vision may remain relatively unaffected until later in life.
Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
Diagnosis of granular corneal dystrophy is primarily based on clinical examination, including a detailed patient history and visual inspection of the cornea using a slit-lamp microscope. Genetic testing can confirm the diagnosis by identifying mutations in the TGFBI gene.
Treatment[edit | edit source]
Treatment options for granular corneal dystrophy are aimed at managing symptoms and improving vision. In the early stages, visual impairment may be corrected with eyeglasses or contact lenses. As the disease progresses, more invasive treatments may be necessary, including:
- Laser therapy, such as phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK), to remove superficial corneal deposits
- Corneal transplantation in cases where vision is severely affected
Prognosis[edit | edit source]
The prognosis for individuals with granular corneal dystrophy varies. While the condition is progressive, the rate of progression and the degree of visual impairment can differ significantly among affected individuals. With appropriate management, most people with granular corneal dystrophy can maintain functional vision well into adulthood.
See Also[edit | edit source]
Translate: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.Contributors: Admin, Prab R. Tumpati, MD