Corneal dystrophies are known to be caused by mutations in genes encoding enzymes or structural proteins. During the last decade, advances in molecular genetics have disclosed new important information about these rare disorders. The specific genetic mutation and biochemical abnormalities responsible for corneal opacification and visual loss have been identified. The aim of this work is to study the genetics and molecular biology of coroneal dystrophies, and to examine the recent advances in the diagnosis, prophylais and therapy of these diseases. The study will include a brief account on the molecular biology of corneal dystrophies. This is the means by which genetic information is transmitted from deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) to ribonucleic acid (RNA) resulting in protein synthesis.Gene therapy, either through genetic manipulations of donor cornea prior to transplantation or gene delivery to affected corneas, or limbal stem cell transplantation for corneal dystrophies of epithelial genesis, represents possible and promising therapies for corneal dystrophies in the future.Some clinical application of genetics will also be included in the study. For example, carrier detection, presymptomatic diagnosis and population screening.