crocodile shagreen

crocodile shagreen

[shagrēn′]

a rare degenerative disorder involving either of two membranes of the cornea in which the cornea exhibits opacities separated by clear zones. The disorder may affect Descemet's deep membrane or Bowman's superficial membrane.

---

shagreen, crocodile 

Polygonal greyish-white corneal opacities separated by relatively clear spaces and located in the stroma, either near Bowman's layer (anterior crocodile shagreen) or occasionally near Descemet's membrane (posterior crocodile shagreen). They are the result of an irregularity of the stromal collagen lamellae. The condition occurs in old people who are asymptomatic, with little or no effect on vision. Syn. crocodile shagreen of Vogt.