[Reis-Bücklers corneal dystrophy]

In the literature two types of anterior corneal dystrophy are referred to as Reis-Bücklers' dystrophy. These are the one originally described by Bücklers in 1949 and known by us as the geographical form, and a honeycomb form. On the basis of electron-microscopic findings the geographical form is considered by some authors today to be a superficial variant of the granular dystrophy (Groenouw I), while the honeycomb form is looked upon as the "true" Reis-Bücklers' dystrophy. However, there is no clinical resemblance between the honeycomb type and the dystrophy described by Bücklers. Clinically it is easy to distinguish the geographical and the honeycomb type, and this is important for the prognosis of a corneal graft. The present authors do not agree that the term granular dystrophy should include the dystrophy described by Bücklers. There is a lack of clarity concerning this type of dystrophy, and clinically it bears no resemblance to granular dystrophy. In the authors' opinion it would be preferable to speak of the geographical and the honeycomb form of Reis-Bücklers' dystrophy.