Hepatolenticular degeneration: histological study of conjunctiva and observation of chalazii during D-penicillamine treatment.

Three patients with hepatolenticular degeneration (Wilson's disease) are described. Bilateral blepharoconjunctivitis and Kayser-Fleischer ring was observed in all 3 patients. In 2 patients, long-lasting, bilateral chalazii appeared during chronic treatment with D-penicillamine. Histochemical and ultrastructural studies of pre-treatment conjunctival biopsies showed no copper storage in the tissue thus supporting the hypothesis that copper storage in Descemet's membrane derives from the anterior chamber.