Living with Corneal dystrophy, lattice type 3A
A rare eye condition in which protein clumps cloud the clear front of the eye and can cause painful corneal erosions.
Understanding Corneal dystrophy, lattice type 3A
Clumps of protein cloud the cornea and make vision worse. People also have recurring corneal erosions, where layers of the cornea separate, which brings severe pain and sensitivity to bright light. GARD says the condition is usually treated with surgery.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Protein clumps in the cornea (lattice dystrophy)
- Cornea erosions
- Blurry vision
- Vision problems
- Eye pain and sensitivity to light
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Your doctor may refer you to a specialist who knows rare conditions.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- A doctor familiar with rare conditions, plus specialists as needed
- Expert care
- Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with Prevent Blindness America
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
It is caused by changes in the TGFBI gene. It is autosomal dominant, meaning one changed copy of the gene can be enough to cause it.
Also known as: cdl3a; lattice corneal dystrophy type iii a; lattice corneal dystrophy type iiia
Patient organizations
- Prevent Blindness AmericaCorneal dystrophy, lattice type 3A · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Corneal dystrophy, lattice type 3A.
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