QUANTITATIVE-ANALYSIS OF LIPID DEPOSITS FROM SCHNYDERS CORNEAL-DYSTROPHY

Aim-To report the quantitation of the Lipid composition of a corneal b utton from a Japanese woman in her 60s with clinically and histopathol ogically proved Schnyder's corneal dystrophy. Methods-Total Lipids ext racted from the corneal button of the patient were analysed by the met hod of thin layer chromatography flame ionisation detection. Two diffe rent solvent systems were used for neutral lipid analysis and phosphol ipid analysis. Results were compared with three age matched corneal bu ttons obtained from cadaveric eyes. Results-The Lipids that accumulate d in the cornea in Schnyder's dystrophy consisted mainly of unesterifi ed cholesterol and phospholipids. The analysis of phospholipids showed sphingomyelin to be the predominant phospholipid in the patient's cor nea. Conclusion-Findings suggest that this disorder involves a disturb ance of the metabolism of cholesterol and/or sphingomyelin metabolism that is Limited to the cornea.