Terrien disease (terrien marginal degeneration; gutter dystrophy; peripheral furrow keratitis; senile marginal atrophy) 1

General: Rare; no known cause; 75% of patients are males from age 10 to 70 years.

Ocular: Usually bilateral; may be asymmetrical; peripheral, fine, yellow-white, punctate stromal opacities associated with mild, superficial corneal vascularization; progressive thinning leads to peripheral gutter formation; decrease in visual acuity; loss of Bowman membrane and anterior stromal lamella with partial replacement of these tissues by a vascularized connective tissue; fatty deposits; thin stroma; thickness changes in Descemet membrane; regular recurring attacks of pain and inflammation; keratoconus; reported association with Terrien marginal degeneration.

Clinical: None.

Ashenhurst M, Slomovic A. Corneal hydrops in Terrien's marginal degeneration: an unusual complication. Can J Ophthalmol 1987; 22:328.

Austin P, Brown SI. Inflammatory Terrien's marginal corneal disease. Am J Ophthalmol 1981; 92: 189-l92.

Friedlaender MH. Allergy and immunology of the eye. Hagerstown, MD: Harper & Row, 1979:190.

Kremer I. Terrien's marginal degeneration associated with vernal conjunctivitis. Am J Ophthalmol 1991; 111: 517-518.

Lopez JS, et al. Immunohistochemistry of Terrien's and Mooren's corneal degeneration. Arch Ophthalmol 1991; 109: 988-992.