Schnyder Crystalline Corneal Dystrophy (SCCD), treatment

👁 What is Schnyder Crystalline Corneal Dystrophy (SCCD)?

Schnyder Crystalline Corneal Dystrophy (SCCD) is a rare genetic disorder
in which sparkling, needle-like cholesterol or lipid crystals
accumulate in the central cornea, often creating a shimmering appearance.

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🔍 Features

• Autosomal dominant inheritance, but sporadic cases can occur
• Crystals are composed of cholesterol or lipids,
  deposited in the subepithelial or anterior stromal layer
• Appearance is often described as ring-shaped or needle-like

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🧬 Cause

• Lipids from the bloodstream may enter the cornea,
  and due to defective lipid metabolism,
  they accumulate extracellularly and are not broken down
• Once thought to be due to systemic lipid issues,
  it's now believed to result from local corneal lipid metabolism defects
• Lipid panel testing is recommended

 

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👁 Symptoms & Treatment

• Most cases are asymptomatic or show slowly progressive vision loss
• In rare cases with severe vision impairment,
  superficial or full-thickness corneal transplantation may be needed

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✅ Summary

• Rare genetic corneal dystrophy
• Shimmering, crystal-like opacities in central cornea
• Slow progression, minimal vision impact
• Treatment rarely needed, but monitor lipid levels