Pigmentation of the cornea: review and case history.

The patient described in this paper exhibits a previously undocumented condition, "annular pigmentation of the cornea." The irregularly circular distribution of pigment is associated with anterior membrane dystrophic changes of the microcystic type and endothelial guttata. Systemic investigation revealed a severe iron deficiency anemia which was treated with total dose infusion of iron. In the absence of a histologic specimen, a speculative etiology is suggested based on systematic exclusion of various causes of corneal pigmentation. A simplified classification of pigmentary changes of the cornea is offered and on this basis a focal dystrophic process is suggested as the cause of this case of annular pigmentation of the cornea.