AIM:To analyze the clinical features of Terrien marginal degeneration(TMD).

METHODS:Fifty-six patients(90 eyes)admitted in our hospital from January 2013 to January 2015 were selected as observation group. At the same period, 56 healthy(88 eyes)for corneal examination were as control group to analyze the clinical features of TMD. With immunohistochemistry and enzyme linked immunoassay method(ELISA), the levels of HLA-DR, HLA-DQ and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in blood samples of TMD patients were tested.

RESULTS:The transparent degree of the eye, lipid deposition in TMD patients with early, advanced, swelling and hole-wearing period were significantly different(χ²=10.85, χ²=65.32, P<0.05). Astigmatism in TMD patients with early and advanced, swelling and hole-wearing period were significantly different(P<0.05). The levels of HLA-DR, HLA-DQ and TNF-α in blood samples between the two groups were significantly different(t=45.326, t=23.564, t=19.86, P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: Terrien's marginal degenerative is an inflammatory disease characterized by increased levels of TNF-α, HLA-DQ, and HLA-DR in peripheral blood, decreased corneal transparency, astigmatism and lipid deposition. This research provides experiment evidence for the mechanism of TMD.