Climatic Droplet Keratopathy Is a Misnomer for This Corneal Degeneration

ABSTRACT

Purpose

To describe a new insight into the Climate Droplet Keratopathy (CDK) pathophysiology and its major predisposing factors.

Method

A literature search was undertaken on PubMed to compile papers published on CDK. The following is a focused opinion tempered by synthesis of current evidence, and research of the authors.

Results

CDK is a multifactorial rural disease common in regions with high incidence of pterygium, but not related to the type of climate or ozone concentrations. Although it has been thought that climate is the cause of this disease, recent investigations deny that and reveal that other environmental factors such as dietary intake, eye protection, oxidative stress, and ocular inflammatory pathways play an important role in the pathogenesis of CDK.

Conclusion

Considering the negligible effect of climate, the present name “ CDK” for this illness can be confusing for young ophthalmologists. Based on these remarks, it is imperative to start using an accurate name like “Environmental Corneal Degeneration (ECD)” that fits the most recent evidence related to its etiology.

KEYWORDS:

• Climate
• Cornea
• Degenerative disease
• Environment
• Human

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This work was supported by BID-PICT 2016-0055.

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Inter-American Development Bank [PICT 2016-0055].