Twenty-one corneas with lattice dystrophy were studied histologically to evaluate the magnitude of superficial lesions. The compromise included epithelium disarray and atrophy, degenerative pannus, disruption and absence of Bowman’s layers, amyloid deposits, and elastotic deposits. These changes were progressive according to patients’ age at time of keratoplasty. Oxytalan fibers, an elastic component, were found in affected corneas. The relation of these fibers to elastotic deposition and abnormal fibrillogenesis in lattice corneal dystrophy is discussed.