Clinical Evaluation of Idiopathic Corneal Endotheliopathy

ABSTRACT

The idiopathic corneal endotheliopathy appears clinically as a corneal graft rejection, which has a linear corneal endotheliopathy and well responds to corticosteroid theraphy. Its cause may be associated with autoimmune reaction(Khodadoust AA, Attazadeh A, 1982). We experienced five patients with idiopathic corneal endotheliopathy, and evaluated its clinical characteristics and treatment. We performed slit lamp examination, the measurement of intraocular pressure of five patients who visited our hospital to evaluate the progressive visual disturbance due to idiopathic corneal endotheliopathy. All cases showed endotheliopathy with keratic precipitates, corneal epithelial edema and stromal edema at corresponding areas. The intraocular pressures were within normal range and a mild inflammation in anterior chamber was found in two cases. The immune rings were shown in two cases and herpes zoster blepharitis had appeared in one case. All cases had a good response to topical corticosteroid and acyclovir treatment. However, four cases were recurred even though well responded to treatment following recurrence. We suggest that the pathogenesis of idiopathic corneal endotheliopathy would be associated with herpes virus infection.