The direct compensation method allows for an accurate determination of intraocular light scattering between 3.5 and 25 degrees of scattering angle and is suitable for untrained subjects. The method was used to study light scattering in four forms of hereditary corneal dystrophies. Light scattering is the basis of glare complaints and was compared with visual acuity loss. The findings corresponded to the complaint patterns: in central crystalline dystrophy light scattering can be much increased with relatively well preserved visual acuity. In posterior polymorphous dystrophy the reverse is true. In macular dystrophy (Groenouw II) and lattice dystrophy the situation is more or less intermediate between these two extremes.