Salzmann nodular degeneration of the cornea

Histopathology of Salzmann nodules (*). Disruption of the Bowman membrane is demarcated in each photomicrograph by the area between the left and right arrows: (A) hematoxylin and eosin stain; (B) periodic acid-Schiff stain; (C) immunohistochemistry with antibody against pan-cytokeratin; and (D) immunohistochemistry with antibody against vimentin. (From Stone DU, et al. Histopathology of Saltzmann Nodular Corneal Degeneration. Cornea. Volume 27(2), February 2008, pp 148-151)

Salzmann nodular degeneration  was once called  Salzmann nodular dystrophy. It is now recognized that this typically unilateral disorder is not heritable and is best classifid as a secondary degenerative process of uncertain cause. Clinically, the corneal epithelium is focally elevated by white mounds of dense collagenous connective tissue. Salzmann nodular degeneration resembles a massive focal pannus histopathologically. Mounds of relatively acellular hyaline connective tissue elevate the corneal epithelium anterior to the plane of Bowman membrane, which may be destroyed.

Source: Reference: Eagle, Ralph C. Eye Pathology: An Atlas and Text [2nd edition] page 86.