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Peripheral pigmented placoid corneal endotheliopathy
Liwu G Chen1, Paul T Finger, Elona Dhrami-Gavazi
1*The New York Eye Cancer Center, New York, NY; †Department of Ophthalmology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY; ‡Department of Ophthalmology, The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, New York, NY; and §Edward S Harkness Eye Institute, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY.
Peripheral pigmented placoid corneal endotheliopathy (PPPCE) is a rare condition affecting the corneal endothelium. This case series describes its presentation and characteristics in four patients, suggesting potential origins from iris pigment cells.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Corneal Diseases
- Endothelial Keratopathy
Background:
- Peripheral pigmented placoid corneal endotheliopathy (PPPCE) is a rare condition characterized by pigmented lesions on the corneal endothelium.
- The etiology and clinical behavior of PPPCE are not well-documented in existing literature.
Observation:
- A case series of five eyes in four asymptomatic female patients with PPPCE was reviewed.
- Patients' mean age was 53 years, with a majority of African American and Hispanic descent.
- Lesions were well-demarcated, brown, and located on the inferior corneal endothelium, measuring up to 6.1 mm horizontally.
Findings:
- Specialized imaging (slit-lamp photography, gonioscopy, ultrasound biomicroscopy, OCT) confirmed pigmented plaques on the endothelium without stromal invasion or edema.
- No synchronous anterior or posterior segment abnormalities were observed.
- PPPCE lesions remained stable over a mean follow-up of 17 months.
Implications:
- The morphology and location of PPPCE suggest a possible origin from iris stromal melanocytes or iris pigment epithelium.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the unknown etiology of this rare corneal condition.
- This case series contributes to the understanding of PPPCE, aiding in its diagnosis and management.
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