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What is map-dot-fingerprint dystrophy? | Symptoms | Treatment

What is map-dot-fingerprint dystrophy?

The stroma layer of the cornea is found behind the epithelium. Comprising ninety percent of the cornea, the stroma is made up of seventy-eight percent water and sixteen percent protein fibers. The shape, arrangement, and spacing of the fibers are critical to creating the light conducting transparency of the cornea. The stroma gives the cornea its form, elasticity, and strength. The stroma layer is separated from the epithelium layer of the cornea by a membrane that serves as a foundation where the epithelial cells are anchored and organized.

In map-dot-fingerprint dystrophy, the membrane develops abnormally. Therefore, when the epithelial cells anchor themselves to an irregular membrane, they have an irregular appearance.

The name, map-dot-fingerprint dystrophy, comes from appearance of the cornea - it looks like a map. Map-dot-fingerprint dystrophy occurs in both eyes and generally affects people between the ages of forty and seventy. It may also be inherited, in which case it shows up at about age six.

Symptoms

Some people never know they have map-dot-fingerprint dystrophy because there is no pain or vision loss. However, some people have recurrent epithelial erosions that alter the curvature of the cornea creating intermittent blurred vision. The epithelial erosions can also expose nerve endings causing moderate to severe pain for several days. Pain should decrease in ten days to two weeks, but the patient may experience periodic flashes of pain after that. Other sensations include sensitivity to light, excessive tearing, and the sensation of a foreign body in the eye.

If you are experiencing some of the symptoms described here, it does not necessarily mean you have map-dot-fingerprint dystrophy. However, if you experience one or more of these symptoms, you should contact your eye doctor for a complete exam. Click here for information on emergency or immediate care.

Treatment

The main form of treatment for map-dot-fingerprint dystrophy is to control the pain associated with corneal erosion. Lubricating drops and ointments are used to ease the pain, and the eye may be patched to immobilize it.