title: [Histopathologic and ultrastructure changes of corneal dystrophy of bowman layer, type I].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the histopathologic and ultrastructure changes of corneal dystrophies of bowman layer, type I (CDB I ) in Chinese.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cornea buttons were obtained from 4 CDB I patients in 2 pedigrees who underwent lamella or penetrating keratoplasty. Sections with HE and special staining were observed under light microscope. Ultrathin sections were performed and ultrastructure changes were investigated under transmission electron microscope. Two normal cornea specimens were used as control.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the CDB I cornea epithelium, microvillus were decreased or lost. Small clumps of deposits with high electron density were found between basal cells. Some basal cells appeared apoptosis sign. A great quantity of rod-shape deposits were seen in Bowman's layer and the anterior part of stroma.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CDB I patients have characteristic corneal structure changes, and may be one of the reasons of the clinical symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China.
authors.forename: Qi
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Jiaqi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xiao
mesh_terms: D050541:Bowman Membrane / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D003317:Corneal Dystrophies, Hereditary / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male