Histochemistry and electron-microscopic observation in two cases of granular dystrophy of the cornea

We report on 2 cases of granular dystrophy (Groenouw type I). We studied the nature and the ultrastructure of the typical stromal deposits by means of histochemical methods and of electron-microscopic examination. These deposits did not stain with Alcian blue, periodic acid-Schiff, Mallory, van Gieson, von Kossa or Congo red so that they are not constituted of proteoglycans, collagen, calcium or amyloid. They probably contain a proteic material. At the electron-microscopic level we observed electron-dense material which was made up of filaments immersed into an amorphous matrix.