Asteroid Hyalosis

Synonyms

Asteroid bodies or scintillation nivea; Asteroid hyalitis

Definition

Asteroid hyalosis was first described by Benson in 1894. While minute white opacities are found in the otherwise normal vitreous, this condition presents as cream-white spherical bodies distributed throughout the vitreous either randomly or in chains or sheets. The biomolecular composition of asteroid bodies has only recently been explored, and many questions remain unanswered. The asteroid bodies feature a multilamellar structure formed of a mineral compound containing calcium, phosphorus, and oxygen, presumably a calcium apatite like material, with chondroitin-6-sulfate at the periphery and hyaluronic acid in the inner matrix.

The prevalence of asteroid hyalosis has been reported to range from 0.36 % to 1.96 %. In 75 % of cases, the condition is unilateral, and it only rarely causes a significant decrease in visual acuity.

Clinical studies have showed associations of asteroid hyalosis with diabetes,...