A superficial corneal lesion of unknown origin

Three patients are described showing corneal changes of unknown origin previously not described. The changes consist of discrete opacities mostly located in the epithelium of the cornea. The opacities are arranged in a continuous are originating from the limbus with the vertex extending towards the optic zone. The cornea inside and outside the arc was normal during the early stages of the disease. In two of the cases a progress of the changes were recorded and a stromal opacity developed inside the arc. The three cases were all unilateral. Bacterial and fungal cultures, virus isolation, several blood tests, serology and immunological tests have been negative. Light- and electron microscopy of biopsied material show intracellular specific epithelial cell changes in the form of perinuclear vacuoles. None of the treatments tried were successful.