Endothelial and epithelial-like cell formations in a case of posterior polymorphous dystrophy
W. P. Richardson and M. E. Hettinger
Histology of the endothelial and epithelial-like cells, vesicles, and
membranes seen on the posterior corneal surface in posterior polymorphous
dystrophy were examined by light microscopy and scanning and transmission
electron microscopy in a 3-month-old female infant. The entire posterior
surface of both corneas was covered by a geographic pattern of endothelial
and epithelial-like cells, sometimes creating vesicles and sometimes
creating partially detached sheets of cells. The thickness of Descemet's
membrane varied widely, showing a tendency to be most complete under the
remaining endothelial cells and thinner or absent under the epithelial-like
cells. Details of this histology have important implications for our
understanding of congenital diseases of corneal endothelium.
