Copper in the cornea is identified as what?

The presence of copper in the cornea is identified as a Kayser-Fleischer ring. This distinctive greenish or golden-brown ring is typically observed at the corneal margin and is most commonly associated with Wilson's disease, a genetic disorder that leads to excessive accumulation of copper in the body.

The ring forms due to the deposition of copper in the corneal tissue, and it is an important clinical sign that can aid in the diagnosis of Wilson's disease. The appearance of the ring is a direct result of the underlying metabolic dysfunction that impairs copper metabolism, leading to the accumulation of copper in various tissues including the liver, brain, and cornea.

While Fleischer rings can also be found in the eye, they are primarily associated with conditions like keratoconus and are not specifically indicative of copper deposition. Sunflower cataracts refer to a specific type of cataract associated with copper build-up but occur in a different anatomical location (the lens), and "cupric deposits" is a more general term that does not specify the characteristic appearance seen in the cornea. Therefore, the identification of copper in the cornea is most accurately described by the term Kayser-Fleischer ring.