AUTHOR AND EDITOR INFORMATION

Section 1 of 11  

• Authors and Editors
• Introduction
• Clinical
• Differentials
• Workup
• Treatment
• Medication
• Follow-up
• Miscellaneous
• Multimedia
• References

INTRODUCTION

Section 2 of 11  

• Authors and Editors
• Introduction
• Clinical
• Differentials
• Workup
• Treatment
• Medication
• Follow-up
• Miscellaneous
• Multimedia
• References

Background

The cornea plays a crucial and vital role in the visual pathway. To maximize the visual potential of the eye, both the clarity of the cornea and the refractive power (curvature) are important. Any disturbance to the clarity or thickness of the cornea will affect its visual potential. The Descemet membrane and endothelial cells play a critical role.

Pathophysiology

The cornea is composed of 5 discrete anatomical components, each with specific functions to achieve the goal of clarity and refractive potential. The outermost component, the epithelium, provides a smooth surface due to the interactions of cytoskeletal components and tear film matrix. It also serves an important protective barrier function. The Bowman layer or membrane, the second layer moving in toward the eye, serves as the smooth adhesion layer for the basement membrane of the epithelial cells. This layer is not crucial for clarity or visual function since removal of the Bowman layer during photorefractive keratectomy does not negatively affect vision.

The corneal stroma makes up the majority of the width of the cornea. It is composed of collagen fibrils arranged in a regular pattern to allow light to enter and pass through without being diffracted or reflected. Inflammation manifesting as stromal infiltrates and/or stromal edema results in the interruption of the regular periodicity of the collagen matrix and decreased corneal clarity. Because the cornea is avascular, nutrients and wastes are delivered and deposited anteriorly via the tear film and external environment, internally via corneal nerves, and posteriorly via the aqueous humor.

The innermost layer of the cornea is the endothelial cell layer, a monolayer of polarized cells. They are arranged with their apical portion toward the aqueous humor in the anterior chamber. The endothelial cells are responsible for maintaining the desiccation of the stroma by actively removing water. The Descemet membrane is the specialized basement membrane of the endothelial cells positioned between the stroma and the endothelial cell layer. Any condition that causes inflammation of the cornea or the anterior chamber can cause Descemet membrane folds.

Frequency

United States

This condition is common because it is associated with many inflammatory conditions of the eye.

International

Same as in United States.

Mortality/Morbidity

Morbidity due to decreased vision and pain exists.

Race

No predisposition to race exists.

Sex

This condition affects women and men equally.

Age

This condition affects all age groups with slower resolution of the folds in elderly persons.

CLINICAL

Section 3 of 11  

• Authors and Editors
• Introduction
• Clinical
• Differentials
• Workup
• Treatment
• Medication
• Follow-up
• Miscellaneous
• Multimedia
• References

History

• Pain - External-type pain alleviated by topical anesthesia
• Blurry vision - Mild to moderate if only stromal edema; moderate to severe if epithelial edema too; can severely affect vision
• Foreign body sensation – External symptoms alleviated by topical anesthetic
• Tearing due to external symptoms
• Eyelid swelling if corneal edema is severe

Physical

• Descemet folds are directly visible with slit lamp biomicroscopy using direct focal illumination, specular reflection, and retroillumination.
• Descemet folds are associated with corneal edema due to endothelial dysfunction from infections, from infiltrations, or following surgery.
• Descemet folds also are associated with corneal inflammation due to infections or infiltrations or following surgery.
• Descemet folds also are associated with anterior chamber inflammation visible by direct focal illumination.

Causes

• Inflammation due to corneal or ocular infection
• Inflammation after surgery; normal postoperative inflammation or exuberant inflammatory response can be due to complicated surgery, retained lens fragments, retinal detachment, or endophthalmitis.
• Inflammatory conditions, such as blepharitis, phlyctenulosis, episcleritis, and scleritis
• Trauma or injury, such as blunt trauma or acidic/alkaline chemical injury

DIFFERENTIALS

Section 4 of 11  

• Authors and Editors
• Introduction
• Clinical
• Differentials
• Workup
• Treatment
• Medication
• Follow-up
• Miscellaneous
• Multimedia
• References

Other Problems to be Considered

Any anterior segment inflammation can lead to Descemet membrane folds.

WORKUP

Section 5 of 11  

• Authors and Editors
• Introduction
• Clinical
• Differentials
• Workup
• Treatment
• Medication
• Follow-up
• Miscellaneous
• Multimedia
• References

Lab Studies

• Elucidate and treat the underlying condition causing the inflammation. Most of the ophthalmic evaluation is clinical. Consider herpes simplex for epithelial infection or stromal infiltrations, which may need impression cytology studies.

Imaging Studies

• B-scan ultrasound can be considered if the view to the posterior pole is obscured.
• Ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) can be helpful to identify foreign bodies in the angle, iris, or anterior sclera, especially after trauma. UBM may be helpful if the view to the anterior chamber angle is obscured.

Other Tests

• Gonioscopy may be helpful to reveal retained lens fragments in the anterior chamber angle.

Procedures

• Surgery may be necessary either to replace the cornea if the endothelium is not functional or to treat the underlying cause of inflammation (eg, retinal detachment, retained lens fragments, intraocular foreign body).

Histologic Findings

Corneal donor button from penetrating keratoplasty shows corneal stromal edema with fixed folds of the Descemet membrane.

Staging

Staging is not standardized but can be described as 1 to 4 with 1+ implying mild and 4+ implying severe folds.

TREATMENT

Section 6 of 11  

• Authors and Editors
• Introduction
• Clinical
• Differentials
• Workup
• Treatment
• Medication
• Follow-up
• Miscellaneous
• Multimedia
• References

Medical Care

Treat the underlying cause of inflammation and reduce the inflammation using steroidal, nonsteroidal, and osmotic agents.

Surgical Care

Penetrating keratoplasty is available if the corneal edema overlying the Descemet folds does not resolve. Posterior lamellar keratoplasty is a new technique that may be helpful in eyes with unresponsive corneal edema.

Persistent corneal edema causing painful symptoms in an eye with poor visual function also can be treated with anterior stromal micropuncture, excimer laser phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK), amniotic membrane graft, or a conjunctival flap.

Consultations

A consultation with a cornea specialist can be considered if the condition does not improve with identification of the underlying condition and medical treatment of the condition.

Diet

No diet restrictions or recommendations exist.

Activity

Activity is only limited by the visual limitations.

MEDICATION

Section 7 of 11  

• Authors and Editors
• Introduction
• Clinical
• Differentials
• Workup
• Treatment
• Medication
• Follow-up
• Miscellaneous
• Multimedia
• References

Medical treatment of Descemet folds requires the treatment of the underlying cause of ocular inflammation. This includes topical steroidal, nonsteroidal, and osmotic agents, as well as topical antibiotics, as needed, for ocular infection. Once the underlying ocular inflammation is treated, the Descemet folds generally resolve.

Drug Category: Corticosteroid

Inhibit edema, fibrin deposition, capillary dilation and proliferation, and deposition of collagen and scar formation.

Drug Category: Nonsteroidal ophthalmic drops

Used to decrease corneal inflammation.

Drug Category: Hypertonic agents

Sodium chloride hypertonic ophthalmic solution used to dehydrate the cornea.

FOLLOW-UP

Section 8 of 11  

• Authors and Editors
• Introduction
• Clinical
• Differentials
• Workup
• Treatment
• Medication
• Follow-up
• Miscellaneous
• Multimedia
• References

Further Inpatient Care

• Descemet membrane folds usually are not associated with a condition that requires inpatient care.
• Severe ocular infection with or without pending perforation may require intensive topical medication (every 30 min).

Further Outpatient Care

• The amount of outpatient care needed depends on the underlying cause of inflammation. For instance, inflammation due to corneal infection requires close follow-up care, while Descemet folds from inflammation after routine cataract surgery only need routine follow-up care. If not acute in nature, monthly follow-up care may be warranted.

In/Out Patient Meds

• Patients should be treated with appropriate medications to treat the underlying cause of inflammation. If infectious, antibiotics are appropriate. The inflammation causing the Descemet folds should be treated with topical steroidal and nonsteroidal drops, unless a contraindication exists. Hypertonic agents also can be used to decrease corneal edema and improve Descemet folds.

Transfer

• Since these conditions usually do not warrant hospitalization, transfers are unusual.

Deterrence/Prevention

• Minimizing the length of surgery may help reduce the amount of Descemet folds in the acute postoperative period. Avoid intraoperative complications, such as posterior capsular rupture, corneal burns, retained lens fragments, and posterior dislocation of lens material.
• Trauma and ocular injuries, such as chemical splashes, often can be avoided by the use of protective eyewear.
• Most of the time, factors that lead to Descemet folds (eg, infections, inflammatory conditions) cannot be prevented.

Complications

• If corneal inflammation is associated with thinning, then corneal perforation may result. Central corneal scarring also may result depending on the location of the underlying corneal infection or injury.
• Usually, the Descemet folds resolve with the resolution of the ocular inflammation. Depending on the duration of the corneal edema and folds, there may be residual corneal scarring after the edema and folds resolve.

Prognosis

• Patients usually have a good prognosis unless central corneal scarring results. Once the inflammation is treated, the corneal edema and Descemet folds typically resolve.

Patient Education

• Patients usually need reassurance with prolonged use of topical medications. They may find it difficult and tedious to instill the drops as frequently as usually is prescribed. Also, the patient needs to understand that gradual improvement will occur in the inflammation and Descemet folds, which results in gradual improvement of their vision.

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 9 of 11  

• Authors and Editors
• Introduction
• Clinical
• Differentials
• Workup
• Treatment
• Medication
• Follow-up
• Miscellaneous
• Multimedia
• References

Medical/Legal Pitfalls

• The medical/legal pitfalls associated with Descemet membrane folds are minimal. It is important to inform the patient that the treatment of the underlying cause for the inflammation is of the utmost importance. The treatment relies heavily on the patient's medical compliance with the topical drop regimen. Chart documentation also is important to avoid possible litigious attacks. When placing patients on intensive topical steroids, the chance of secondary opportunistic infections is enhanced. Patients should understand this risk and be instructed that any worsening of their condition must lead to an ophthalmic examination.

Special Concerns

• Treatment of pregnant mothers needs special consideration given the fact that the medications used to treat ocular inflammation are category C. The medications should only be used if the benefits of the medication outweigh the risks to the fetus.
• In pediatric patients, instillation of the ophthalmic medication may be very difficult. Sometimes, ophthalmic ointments are easier to administer than ophthalmic drops. The medications usually are given with the same dosing as adults; however, no clinic studies are available for these medications in children.
• Geriatric patients with inflammatory conditions leading to Descemet folds can have difficulty with the physical administration of the medications. The dosing can be frequent, and, if the elderly patient has no social support structure, this may be difficult for the patient.

MULTIMEDIA

Section 10 of 11  

• Authors and Editors
• Introduction
• Clinical
• Differentials
• Workup
• Treatment
• Medication
• Follow-up
• Miscellaneous
• Multimedia
• References

Media file 1:  Descemet membrane folds after surgery.
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Media type:  Photo

Media file 2:  Diffuse illumination showing Descemet membrane folds after surgery.
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Media type:  Photo

REFERENCES

Section 11 of 11

• Authors and Editors
• Introduction
• Clinical
• Differentials
• Workup
• Treatment
• Medication
• Follow-up
• Miscellaneous
• Multimedia
• References

• American Academy of Ophthalmology. External disease and cornea. In: Basic and Clinical Science Course, Section 8. 1999.
• Denion E, Dalens PH, Huguet P. Radial Descemet's membrane folds as a sign of pterygium traction. Eye 2004 Sep 3. [Medline].
• Medical Economics Company, ed. Physicians Desk Reference. 27th ed. 1999: 223, 243, 252, 254, 265.
• Scuderi B, Driussi GB, Chizzolini M. Effectiveness and tolerance of piroxicam 0.5% and diclofenac sodium 0.1% in controlling inflammation after cataract surgery. Eur J Ophthalmol. Jul 2003;13(6):536-40. [Medline].
• Wilson FM. Slit-lamp biomicroscopy. In: Practical Ophthalmology. 4th ed. 1996:213-229.

Article Last Updated: Feb 5, 2007