Disappearance of crystals in Schnyder's crystalline corneal dystrophy after epithelial erosion

PURPOSE: A 40-year-old woman with Schnyder's crystalline corneal dystrophy had two episodes of epithelial erosion. METHODS: We reviewed the patient's medical record and photographic file. RESULTS: In the areas underlying the epithelial erosion, the crystalline opacities disappeared. The crystals recurred in the subsequent five years but were not as dense. CONCLUSIONS: Crystals in the subepithelial or Bowman's layer may lead to epithelial destabiliza. tion and corneal epithelial erosion. Disappearance of the crystalline opacities may occur after crisrup, tion of the epithelium.