Corneal clarity is maintained by its endothelium, which functions abnormally in the endothelial dystrophies, leading to corneal opacification. This group of conditions includes Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy of the cornea (FECD), one of the commonest indications for corneal transplantation performed in developed countries, posterior polymorphous dystrophy (PPCD) and the congenital hereditary endo...

Corneal specimens obtained during surgery from patients with macular corneal dystrophy and obtained at autopsy from control eyes were incubated in a medium containing radioactive precursors of glycoproteins and proteoglycans. Biosynthetically radiolabeled material was extracted and characterized by using molecular sieve chromatography and specific enzymes. Cells in control corneas synthesized b...

PURPOSE To evaluate the leading indications for penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) and their trends in Greece during the period 1982 to 2006. METHODS Retrospective data review of 1,929 patients (2233 eyes) who underwent PKP in the period between 1982 and 2006 at three cornea transplantation units of three hospitals in Greece (Athens General Hospital, Heraklion University Hospital of Crete, and Th...

PURPOSE To investigate the phenotype and predisposing factors of a granular corneal dystrophy type 2 transgenic mouse model. METHODS Human TGFBI cDNA with R124H mutation was used to make a transgenic mouse expressing human protein (TGFBIR124H mouse). Reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) was performed to analyze TGFBIR124H expression. A total of 226 mice including 23 homozygotes, 106 heterozygot...

PURPOSE To report the clinical and molecular features of a distinct form of transforming growth factor-β-induced (TGFBI) gene-linked corneal dystrophy exhibiting a new granular corneal dystrophy type I (CDGG1) phenotype. METHODS A complete ophthalmologic examination was performed in all individuals of a Chinese family in which autosomal dominant transmission of the disease had been observed. ...