Lipid Keratopathy

• Also known as lipid degeneration of the cornea.

Clinical Features

• May occur as primary or secondary form
• Primary form usually occurs bilaterally and caused by conditions such as Tangier disease (Familial High Density Lipoprotein Deficiency) and LCAT (Lecithin Cholesterol Acyltransferase) deficiency
• Secondary form is the most common form and related to the presence of corneal blood vessels from trauma, interstitial keratitis or herpes zoster keratitis
• Appears dense as yellow or cream-colored opacification or fan-like cholesterol crystals on the corneal stroma surrounding blood vessels as a result of cholesterol or fatty acid extravasation

Management

• Argon laser treatment to close the feeder vessels may be attempted.
• Penetrating keratoplasty for severe degeneration, although it may recur in the graft.