[Congenital familial cornea plana with ptosis, peripheral sclerocornea and conjunctival xerosis].

BACKGROUND: Cornea plana is an extremely rare, congenital hereditary malformation of the corneo-scleral shape. The curvatures of cornea and sclera are nearly equal with an indistinct limbus. In addition to the flatness, there is a peripheral sclerocornea that produces a pseudomicrocornea. The low corneal refraction and the short anterior segment often result in hyperopia. Myopia is also described. Usually the posterior segment is not involved.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A young man of 22 years, his three- and five-year-old sons, and his newborn daughter showed this hereditary abnormality of the cornea. In this uncommon anomaly we measured corneal curvature, refraction, diameter and in three of the four patients echographical length of the bulbi.

RESULTS: The family showed an autosomal dominant inheritance of the cornea plana. The corneal refraction was less than 32 diopters. The scleral encroachment caused an oval cornea measuring horizontally between 5 and 6.5 mm, vertically 4 to 5 mm. Additionally a pseudoblepharoptosis and a conjunctival xerosis of the father and his sons was observed, which is not regularly found. A-scan measuring of the bulbi revealed age-related normal values.

CONCLUSIONS: There is no evidence for progression of this anomaly during life. No therapeutical consequences are necessary. To preserve a satisfactory function a conscientious orthoptical maintainance should be guaranteed.