Congenital corneal opacities: a review with a focus on genetics

Congenital corneal opacities present in approximately 3/100,000 newborns. Many different disorders may result in corneal opacifications of infancy, including Peters' anomaly (PA), congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy (CHED), congenital hereditary stromal dystrophy (CHSD) and posterior polymorphous dystrophy (PPMD). Current studies have localized defects using genetic testing in PA, CHED, CHSD and PPMD. Identifying mutations for specific disorders may lead to better understanding of the underlying pathogeneses and may help with diagnosis and prognosis. This article will review the clinical presentations, treatments and genetics of Peters' anomaly, congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy, congenital hereditary stromal dystrophy and posterior polymorphous dystrophy.