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 u
