eMedicine Specialties > Ophthalmology > Cornea

Dystrophy, Macular: Follow-up

Author: Natalie Afshari, MD, MA, FACS, Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, Duke University Eye Center, Duke University Medical Center
Coauthor(s): William B Trattler, MD, Ophthalmologist, The Center for Excellence in Eye Care; Volunteer Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute; William Lloyd Clark, MD, Consulting Staff, Palmetto Retina
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Jan 26, 2010

Follow-up

Further Outpatient Care

  • Patients with epithelial defects from recurrent corneal erosions need to be observed every few days to ensure that the abrasion is healing.

Inpatient & Outpatient Medications

  • Patients with epithelial defects from recurrent corneal erosions are treated with topical antibiotics to prevent corneal infection.

Complications

  • Complications of macular corneal dystrophy include photophobia; loss of vision; and, less commonly, recurrent corneal erosions.

Prognosis

  • Of all stromal corneal dystrophies, macular corneal dystrophy results in the earliest visual loss. This visual loss is due to the lack of clear spaces between the denser gray-white macular opacities.
  • Symptomatic patients are eligible for either excimer laser phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) when the bulk of the opacity is superficial or, more commonly, corneal transplantation.
 


More on Dystrophy, Macular

Overview: Dystrophy, Macular
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Dystrophy, Macular
Treatment & Medication: Dystrophy, Macular
Follow-up: Dystrophy, Macular
Multimedia: Dystrophy, Macular
References
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References

  1. Kannabiran C. Genetics of corneal endothelial dystrophies. J Genet. Dec 2009;88(4):487-94. [Medline].

  2. Quantock AJ, Young RD, Akama TO. Structural and biochemical aspects of keratan sulphate in the cornea. Cell Mol Life Sci. Dec 27 2009;[Medline].

  3. Al-Swailem SA, Al-Rajhi AA, Wagoner MD. Penetrating keratoplasty for macular corneal dystrophy. Ophthalmology. Feb 2005;112(2):220-4. [Medline].

  4. Albert D, Jakobiec F. Principles and Practice of Ophthalmology. Vol 1. 1996:26-49.

  5. Edward DP, Yue BY, Sugar J, et al. Heterogeneity in macular corneal dystrophy. Arch Ophthalmol. Nov 1988;106(11):1579-83. [Medline].

  6. Hafner A, Langenbucher A, Seitz B. Long-term results of phototherapeutic keratectomy with 193-nm excimer laser for macular corneal dystrophy. Am J Ophthalmol. Sep 2005;140(3):392-6. [Medline].

  7. Klintworth GK, Meyer R, Dennis R, et al. Macular corneal dystrophy. Lack of keratan sulfate in serum and cornea. Ophthalmic Paediatr Genet. Dec 1986;7(3):139-43. [Medline].

  8. Krachmer J. Cornea. Vol 2. 1996.

  9. Wirtitsch MG, Ergun E, Hermann B. Ultrahigh resolution optical coherence tomography in macular dystrophy. Am J Ophthalmol. Dec 2005;140(6):976-983. [Medline].

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Further Reading

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Keywords

corneal dystrophy, corneal stroma, anterior corneal dystrophy, stromal corneal dystrophy, posterior corneal dystrophy, corneal dystrophies

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Natalie Afshari, MD, MA, FACS, Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, Duke University Eye Center, Duke University Medical Center
Natalie Afshari, MD, MA, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, and Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

William B Trattler, MD, Ophthalmologist, The Center for Excellence in Eye Care; Volunteer Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute
William B Trattler, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology and American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

William Lloyd Clark, MD, Consulting Staff, Palmetto Retina
William Lloyd Clark, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Ophthalmology, and Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Fernando H Murillo-Lopez, MD, Senior Surgeon, Unidad Privada de Oftalmologia CEMES
Fernando H Murillo-Lopez, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Simon K Law, MD, PharmD, Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, Jules Stein Eye Institute; Chief of Section of Ophthalmology Surgical Services, Department of Veterans Affairs Healthcare Center, West Los Angeles
Simon K Law, MD, PharmD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Glaucoma Society, and Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Christopher J Rapuano, MD, Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University; Co-Chairman of the Cornea Service, Co-Chairman of Refractive Surgery Department, Wills Eye Institute
Christopher J Rapuano, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists, Cornea Society, Eye Bank Association of America, International Society of Refractive Surgery, and Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology
Disclosure: Allergan Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Allergan Consulting fee Consulting; Alcon Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Inspire Honoraria Speaking and teaching; RPS Ownership interest Other; Vistakon Honoraria Speaking and teaching; EyeGate Pharma  Consulting; Inspire Consulting fee Consulting; Bausch & Lomb Honoraria Speaking and teaching

CME Editor

Lance L Brown, OD, MD, Ophthalmologist, Affiliated With Freeman Hospital and St John's Hospital, Regional Eye Center, Joplin, Missouri
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Hampton Roy Sr, MD, Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Hampton Roy Sr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, and Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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