[Schnyder's crystalline-like corneal dystrophy: a case report].

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Genetics
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Schnyder's crystalline corneal dystrophy is a rare, inherited bilateral eye disease.
• It usually manifests as central corneal opacification, often with crystalline deposits.
• Varied clinical presentations can complicate diagnosis.

Observation:

• A case study of an 82-year-old woman with a crystalline-free, ring-like corneal dystrophy is presented.
• This presentation mimicked Schnyder's corneal dystrophy but lacked typical crystalline deposits.
• In vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) and anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) were utilized.

Findings:

• IVCM and AS-OCT provided detailed visualization of the corneal microstructures.
• These advanced imaging techniques revealed subtle features not clinically apparent.
• The study demonstrates the utility of IVCM and AS-OCT in diagnosing atypical corneal dystrophies.

Implications:

• This case expands the phenotypic spectrum of Schnyder's corneal dystrophy and related disorders.
• Advanced imaging modalities like IVCM and AS-OCT are crucial for accurate diagnosis and management.
• These techniques can aid in differentiating conditions with similar clinical appearances and validating histological findings.