Lipid keratopathy following corneal hydrops

L. A. Shapiro and T. G. Farkas

A case of lipid keratopathy occurred following acute rupture of Descemet membrane. The cause of the hydrops remained undetermined. There was no history of any prior corneal inflammation or vascularization in the initially involved eye. Lipid deposition was observed following resolution of the corneal edema, and its course was followed for the next several months. Histopathologic studies of the specimen showed lipid deposits in the posterior and middle corneal stroma and degenerative changes in the corneal lamellae and Bruch membrane. Laboratory examination disclosed a type IV hyperlipemia, with normal serum cholesterol levels and elevation of pre-beta-lipoproteins and triglycerides. It cannot be determined from our study if this condition was a causative factor.