Salzmann's Eye Disease

Salzmann's eye disease, known as Salzmann's nodular degeneration, is a condition that affects the cornea. The cornea is the clear portion at the front of the eye. The condition is characterized by, according to knowyoureyes.com, bluish-white nodules that appear on the corneal surface.

Cause

• The cause of Salzmann's nodular degeneration is uncertain, though other conditions which have generated some form of inflammation (such as trauma or infection) have usually occurred in the patient's past.

Symptoms

• The condition generally does not have symptoms, though dry eye does manifest in some cases. Some obstruction of vision is possible, reports knowyoureyes.com.

Diagnosis

• Diagnosis can accomplished with a direct visual examination, except in the earliest stages of the condition. Knowyoureyes.com notes that in the early stages a slit lamp biomicroscope is necessary to see the nodules.

Treatment

• Missionforvisionusa.org reports that the treatments for Salzmann's nodular degeneration are lubrication, topical steroids and doxycycline (an antibiotic). In the event of vision obstruction, removal of the nodules through phototherapeutic keratectomy is the preferred course of treatment.

Prevalence

• The condition is considered to be rare, but there is a higher incidence of Salzmann's nodular degeneration among women.