Granular dystrophy of the cornea (Groenouw's type I). Is the keratocyte the primary source after all?

Corneal buttons from 2 patients from unrelated families with granular dystrophy were examined by light and electron microscopy. An electron-dense substance was noted between the basal epithelial cells; polymorphic electron-dense deposits ('rod-shaped' bodies) could be demonstrated subepithelially, between the stromal lamellae and also within the cytoplasma of the keratocytes. Our findings give credence to the view of earlier authors that the keratocyte is the primary source of the abnormal material.