Map-Dot-Fingerprint Dystrophy

Overview

This dystrophy occurs when the cornea's outermost layer's basement membrane develops abnormally, which serves as the foundation on which the epithelial cells, which absorb nutrients from tears, anchor and organize themselves. This causes recurrent epithelial erosions, in which the cornea's outermost layer rises slightly, exposing a small gap between the outermost layer and the rest of the cornea.

Warning Signs & Symptoms

The chronic epithelial erosions can alter the cornea's curvature, causing periodic blurred vision. It can also expose the nerve endings that line the tissue, resulting in moderate to severe pain lasting as long as several days. Generally, the pain will be worse on awakening in the morning. Other symptoms include sensitivity to light, excessive tearing and foreign body sensation in the eye.

Treatment/Procedures

Typically, patients will experience a flare up for a few years, and then it will go away on its own, with no lasting loss of vision. Most people never know they have Map-Dot-Fingerprint dystrophy, since they do not have any pain or vision loss. If treatment is needed, doctors will try to control the pain associated with the erosions. They may patch the eye to immobilize it, or prescribe lubricating eye drops and ointments. With treatment, these erosions usually heal within days, although periodic flashes of pain may occur for several weeks thereafter. Sometimes a corneal transplant is needed.

Prevention

There are no known preventive measures for Map-Dot-Fingerprint Dystrophy.

Rehabilitation

If a corneal transplant is required, the patient must wear an eye patch for a certain period of time, which protects the new cornea from injury. Eye drops are required to prevent rejection of the transplant, and full vision recovery may take up to a year.