Abstract

Environmentalproteinaceous corneal degeneration (EPCD) is an adquired, bilateraldegenerative corneal disease related to advanced age, lifestyle, and multipleenvironmental factors such as corneal micro traumas, low humidity and lack ofadequate protection for exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR). EPCD mostcommonly affects males over 40 years old, in the form of progressive opacitiesof the anterior layers of the cornea. Since thefirst description in 1898, this corneal degeneration has been reported andnamed in different parts of the world following different criterions (presumed aetiology,geographic area, by eponymum, clinical presentation, nature of corneal depositsand patient?s activities) and more recently in a Patagoniaregion of Argentina.

EPCD slowly progress to cornealopacity, through three grades of increasing severity, leading to a significantdecrease in visual acuity inadvanced cases. Although this ocular disease was described many years ago, itsaetiology is still unknown. In order to elucidate mechanisms involved in thedevelopment of EPCD, our group as others have made scientific contributionsincreasing the body of knowledge about EPCD pathogenesis.