How Would Nature See Our Corneal Triumphs? The LXXIX Edward Jackson Lecture

Abstract

To describe discrepancies between clinical observation and current teachings in corneal endothelial disease, particularly in Fuchs endothelial dystrophy and its potential association with primary open angle glaucoma. Perspective on Fuchs dystrophy, a disorder that commonly presents with a compromised endothelium but minimal stromal edema, indicating that the corneal imbibition pressure is relatively 'too high'. The discrepancy between the relative lack of stromal edema in the absence of an endothelial cell layer can not be explained by the current theories involving a circulatory pumping mechanism over the endothelial cell layer, but may point to 1) secondary involvement of the corneal endothelium in Fuchs dystrophy; 2) separate hydration systems for maintaining the imbibition pressure (vertical static hydration) and corneal nutrition (horizontal dynamic hydration); 3) the cornea as net contributor of aqueous humor; 4) a close relationship between the corneal imbibition and intraocular pressure, with potentially a shared regulatory system; 5) a potential steroid-type hormone dependency of this regulatory system. Clinical observation shows that the stromal imbibition pressure is 'too high' in Fuchs endothelial dystrophy, indicating that it may not primarily be an endothelial disease, but a type of 'corneal glaucoma'.