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BOOK REVIEW |
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Year : 2012 | Volume
: 136
| Issue : 6 | Page : 1065-1066 |
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Corneal dystrophies
Bhaskar Srinivasan
Sankara Nethralaya No.18, College Road Nungambakkam Chennai 600 006, India
Date of Web Publication | 4-Feb-2013 |
Correspondence Address: Bhaskar Srinivasan Sankara Nethralaya No.18, College Road Nungambakkam Chennai 600 006 India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |

How to cite this article: Srinivasan B. Corneal dystrophies. Indian J Med Res 2012;136:1065-6 |
Corneal dystrophies, W. Lisch, B Seitz, editors (Developments in Ophthalmology, vol. 48, F. Bandello, Series Editor) (S. Kargar, Basel, Switzerland) 2011. 159 pages. Price: US$ 278.00
ISBN 978-3-8055-9720-3
Corneal dystrophies are bilateral hereditary disorders of cornea affecting the epithelium/basement membrane/stroma or the endothelium individually or in a combination. This disorder leads to loss of corneal transparency and in some cases to recurrent corneal erosions. Till date, this group of disorders was classified based on the level of the abnormality as epithelial/stromal/endothelial dystrophies.
The possibility of phenotypic and genotypic heterogeneity is now well known. The presence of phenotypic heterogeneity and the fact that there exist different nomenclatures for the same clinical condition lead to confusion amongst ophthalmologists. A standardized nomenclature for corneal dystrophies incorporating the clinical features, genetic and pathological information was of prime importance and resulted in the new nomenclature of corneal dystrophies as proposed by a panel of experts in the IC3D. This book edited by a couple of panelist in the elite group of experts takes on from the classification presented by the expert panel and gives a detailed description of various corneal dystrophies.
The classification system allows the reader to know about the level of evidence available regarding the genetic basis of a particular dystrophy helping the ophthalmologist in deciding about genetic counselling for the affected patient and their families.
The chapter on clinical landmarks in corneal dystrophy gives an account of the descriptions that can be found in different dystrophies and gives a differential diagnosis for the same helping the ophthalmologist in identifying the particular pattern and coming to a definite diagnosis.
The chapter on the histological landmarks on corneal dystrophy gives a detailed description of the pathology in various dystrophies including the light microscopic findings, electron microscopic findings and confocal imaging findings making it a comprehensive literature for pathologists/ophthalmologists.
The chapter on genetics of corneal dystrophy provides an overview and deals with the clinical and genetic aspects of dystrophies and discusses the limits of both anatomical and genetic classification systems. The discovery of mutations that cause dystrophies might be the starting point for initiating strategies to treat.
The chapter on Schnyders corneal dystrophy gives the various clinical manifestation of the rare dystrophy along with a list of differential diagnoses which include metabolic disorders, drug toxicity, multiple myeloma and infectious crystalline keratopathy.
The chapter on gelatinous drop-like dystrophy gives a detailed description, the genetic basis and the pathogenesis of the dystrophy along with available treatment options for the same. The chapter on stage related therapy of corneal dystrophies explains various options available for managing these conditions. The role of phototherapeutic keratectomy and its limitation in different dystrophies is described in detail. The techniques of anterior and posterior lamellar and full thickness keratoplasty with respect to dystrophy are also covered.
Overall, this is a well written book which covers all aspects of corneal dystrophy in great detail. The most useful part of the book is the 43 colour images showing various dystrophies. The histopathological images are also a highlight of the book. This book holds a wealth of information useful to ophthalmologists, cornea specialists and geneticists and pathologists.
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