Anyone have map-dot dystrophy????

[rascalmom]

I just came home from my visit at the eye doctor today - a referral from my regular optometrist visit 2 weeks ago - and was told I had map-dot fingerprint dystrophy. I've been having blurred vision & this is the diagnosis. I've worn glasses since I was a small child, but this isn't the same. Was sent home with wetting-drops & was told there was not much else they could do. Has anyone had any experience with this? I did do a search on the net, but I was looking for more personal experience. Thanks!

 

[rascalmom]

bump

 

[Dan Murphy]

I don't know anything about it, but I am sure somebody here on the DIS knows of it. My best for you, rascalmom.

 

[SugarBear]

Here's a link.... http://www.theeyecenter.com/educational/0040.htm

This dystrophy occurs when the epithelium's basement membrane develops abnormally (The basement membrane serves as the foundation on which the epithelial cells, which absorb nutrients from tears, anchor and organize themselves). When the basement membrane develops abnormally, the epithelial cells cannot properly adhere to it. This, in turn, causes recurrent epithelial erosions, in which the epithelium's outermost layer rises slightly, exposing a small gap between the outermost layer and the rest of the cornea.

Symptoms

Epithelial erosions can be a chronic problem. They may alter the cornea's normal curvature, causing periodic blurred vision. They may 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.

Map-dot-fingerprint dystrophy, which tends to occur in both eyes, usually affects adults between the ages of 40 and 70, although it can develop earlier in life. Also known as epithelial basement membrane dystrophy, map-dot-fingerprint dystrophy gets its name from the unusual appearance of the cornea during an eye examination. Most often, the affected epithelium will have a map-like appearance, i.e., large, slightly gray outlines that look like a continent on a map. There may also be clusters of opaque dots underneath or close to the map-like patches. Less frequently, the irregular basement membrane will form concentric lines in the central cornea that resemble small fingerprints.

Treatment

Typically, map-dot-fingerprint dystrophy will flare up occasionally for a few years and then go away on its own, with no lasting loss of vision. Most people never know that they have map-dot-fingerprint dystrophy, since they do not have any pain or vision loss. However, if treatment is needed, doctors will try to control the pain associated with the epithelial erosions. They may patch the eye to immobilize it, or prescribe lubricating eye drops and ointments. With treatment, these erosions usually heal within three days, although periodic flashes of pain may occur for several weeks thereafter.

Other treatments include anterior corneal punctures to allow better adherence of cells; corneal scraping to remove eroded areas of the cornea and allow regeneration of healthy epithelial tissue; and use of the excimer laser to remove surface irregularities.

 

[mickeyboat]

SugarBear -

What a great post filled with useful information. Thank you for taking the time to help the OP. I am sure she will feel better after having read your post.

Thanks again

Denae

 

[debknight]

I have this. In addition to using lubricating eye drops during the day, I use an eye ointment at night - "Refresh PM". You need to prevent dry eyes so the corneal epithelium will not stick to the eye lid. This will prevent tearing of the cornea, when the cornea tears, or abrades, you experience pain. I kept up this treatment for several years, but then stopped, and have so far been symptom free.

 

[rascalmom]

Thanks for your responses Sugarbear & debknight. I had done a search on the internet for info & found the site your linked Sugarbear, lots of good info there. I was hoping to hear first hand accounts from someone else that was living with this. Debknight - how long have you had this? Have you had much blurred vision?

That is my main symptom, really not any pain. Just kind of like looking through a dirty window. I started on the eye drops yesterday & I'm hoping I see some improvement. Thanks!

 

[nativetxn]

I hope those eyedrops help your symptoms rascalmom

 

[RNMOM]

Wow, I have this too. I developed it about 18 months ago. I was having a heck of a time driving at night cause I was having halos around the lights. It was frightening.

I too have dry eyes and have used drops for a long time. I also just began using the lubricating ointment at night and it is really much better. I rarely need to use drops during the day, except at work due to the dry air there. Just be certain to remove your mascara as it will be everywhere in the morning.

I have had a couple episodes of eye pain but not too often. I also had an episode of one eye being completely blurry for about 3 hours one morning that corrected itself. That was before my diagnosis.

Good luck to us all.

 

[Loey]

I just had cataract surgery which seems to have been badly botched-up. After round-after-round with the surgeon because my eye is worse than before cataract surgery, and an abrasion of the cornea which has healed nicely (all this one month ago), I am now being referred to a cornea specialist because that might be the reason my vision is 'horrifying".
I call it blurred AND underwater for lack of a better discription.

The last visit to the surgeon, because of a new phenomenum (floaters and flashes - never had this before), he is pretty sure it is map dot dystrophy! I've been 'googling' like crazy; and, that is how I found this very interesting thread. Oh God, please help me.....I can't live with this When I see the cornea doctor, I'm going to beg him to fix it.

I'd appreciate any comments

 

[debknight]

Oh my goodness. I did not even remember that I had participated in this thread. After being symptom free for 8.5 years!, I woke up with the same type eye pain yesterday morning. So surprised to see this thread pop up today. I went right right to the store and got the eye drops -- REFRESH - Celluvisc.

Sorry to hear about your new symptoms, but flashers & floaters sound like it could be a retina problem.