Long-term Follow-up of Terrien's Marginal Degeneration

Kim, Do Hyun; Kim, Man Soo

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study is to investigate the long-term follow up of the patients with Terrien's marginal degeneration and to help the treatment of disease. METHODS: Eighteen (22 eyes) patients were selected who visited the Department of Opthalmology at Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital from 1994 to 2001 and were diagnosed with Terrien's marginal degeneration. The mean follow-up periods was 4.1 years. The distribution of lesion location and depth by slit lamp biomicroscopy, refraction by autorefractor and keratometry, and corneal topography were done. And we retrospectively analyzed age, sex, change of astigmatism, erythrocyte sedimentation rate by blood sampling, and serum level of C-reactive protein and rheumatoid factor. RESULTS: The range of age is from 11 to 74 years and the mean age of Terrien's marginal degeneration is 46 years. The superior nasal portion of cornea is most common site of Terrien's marginal degeneration. In 8 cases, axis of astigmatism is concordant with lesion site. And there were no statistically significant progression of cylindrical diopter changes except those undergoing intraocular surgery. Serum indicators of immunologic and inflammatory disease had no difference from normal value. CONCLUSIONS: Terrien's marginal degeneration occurs at any age without specific underlying causes such as immunologic or inflammatory disease. It is relatively safe and not vision threatening except severe forms of corneal thinning which affect astigmatism. Cases with corneal perforation require partial or full thickness corneal graft and have good prognosis