2020–2021 BCSC Basic and Clinical Science Course™
8 External Disease and Cornea
Chapter 5: Congenital Anomalies of the Cornea and Sclera
Secondary Abnormalities Affecting the Fetal Cornea
Birth Trauma
Progressive corneal edema developing during the first few postnatal days, accompanied by vertical or oblique posterior striae, may be caused by birth trauma (Fig 5-8). Ruptures occur in the Descemet membrane and the corneal endothelium. These ruptures usually heal but leave a hypertrophic ridge of Descemet membrane. The edema may or may not clear; if it does clear, the cornea can again become edematous at any time later in life. High astigmatism and amblyopia may be associated findings. Congenital glaucoma can present with similar findings and should be considered in the differential diagnosis.
Excerpted from BCSC 2020-2021 series: Section 10 - Glaucoma. For more information and to purchase the entire series, please visit https://www.aao.org/bcsc.