Clinical, Functional and Structural Studies of Humans

CDK is a degenerative and potentially handicapping human corneal disease suffered by people living in particular places around the world. This disease ischaracterized by slow progression of corneal opacity. The first description of a corneal disease that may have been CDK was made in 1898 by Baquis  and three decades later by Lugli. 

Since then, different descriptions of this disease have been made in different parts of the world characterized by constant winds, low humidity, and chronic exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR). Although we have made some significant advancestowards the understanding of CDK pathogenesis over the past few years, we still lack detail of molecular events taking place during CDK onset and progression. The decrease of corneal antioxidant protective mechanisms results in oxidative injury of the cornea and causes damage by UVB rays and by reactive oxygen species generated by them.