If severe scarring develops, it may be treatable with a corneal transplant. Corneal dystrophier are usually inherited, bilateral, non inflammatory disease. There are several types of corneal dystrophy. Some corneal dystrophies, such anterior basement membrane dystrophy, affect the front surface of the cornea. Dystrophies that affect the front layer of the cornea can cause painful episodes, decreased vision or both.
Some dystrophies affect the body of the cornea, such as granular or lattice dystrophy.
These dystrophies can also cause decreased vision, painful episodes or both. Treatment options include eye drops, eye ointments and surgery. Surgical options include removing the surface layer of the cornea with a diamond burr or excimer laser phototherapeutic keratectomy and also corneal transplantation. Corneal edema means that the surface layer of the eye, the cornea, is swollen. It can cause mild to severe irritation and decreased vision.