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What is Corneal Lipid Degeneration?
Corneal Lipid Degeneration refers to the accumulation of lipids (fats) in the cornea,
which can lead to corneal opacities. It is classified into:
- Primary (idiopathic)
- Secondary (acquired)
๐น Primary Lipid Degeneration
- Extremely rare; no identifiable underlying cause
- Occurs without corneal neovascularization
- Lipids deposit in both central and peripheral stroma
- Blood lipid levels are typically normal
- Seen in deep stroma and Descemet’s membrane
- Corneal transplantation may be considered,
→ but prognosis is often poor
๐ธ Secondary Lipid Degeneration
- More common
- Follows conditions that induce corneal neovascularization, such as:
- Interstitial keratitis
- Corneal trauma, ulcers, or edema
- Lipids leak from abnormal vessels and accumulate in the cornea
- Can appear:
- As disc-shaped deposits in areas of active inflammation
- As fan-shaped patterns near old, inactive vessels