The clinical spectrum of corneal dystrophies

Purpose To review the most common corneal dystrophies from the clinician's standpoint. Methods A systematic overview of the natural history and the clinical characteristics of the most common corneal dystrophies will be presented following the anatomic classification: epithelial and anterior stromal dystrophies, stromal dystrophies, and Descemet and endothelial dystrophies. Abundant use of slitlamp images will help to illustrate the most salient clinical features. Conclusion Despite the fact that the knowledge about the genetic mutations responsible for the different corneal dystrophies has led to a better understanding of their basic defect and to molecular tests for their precise diagnosis, in most patients the careful examination at the slitlamp combined with personal and family history will remain the cornerstone for diagnosis, counseling and treatment.