Ocular histopathology of acrodermatitis enteropathica.

Acrodermatitis enteropathica is the clinical expression of congenital zinc deficiency and is now treated with supplemental zinc. This report details the ocular histopathology of a child who died before efficacious treatment was available. The findings include corneal epithelial thinning and loss of polarity, anterior corneal scarring and loss of Bowman's membrane, cataract formation, ciliary body atrophy, retinal degeneration, RPE depigmentation, and optic atrophy.