This is a clinical, histopathological and electron microscopical study on the spheroidal degeneration of the cornea by means of 48 histologically verified cases. False clinical diagnoses are surveyed and the presumed mechanism of the development of spheroidal degeneration is discussed.

The Richner-Hanhart syndrome seen in a middle-aged woman is described. The patient had the typical clinical manifestations of tyrosinemia II with a bilateral keratopathy, palmar and plantar hyperkeratosis. The patient was subjected to a specific diet and to perforating keratoplasty. Postoperative systemic therapy with steroids had a negative influence on the clinical manifestations; dendritic lesions which developed on the corneal graft disappeared after interruption of the systemic steroid therapy. This suggests that cortisone treatment after keratoplasty should be avoided in this special metabolic disorder.