Recurrent Corneal Erosion:
Information for adults

The most likely victim of recurrent corneal erosion is the person who has had a previous corneal abrasion that was very sharp, clean, and linear, like that from a paper cut. Because the cut is so sharp, without ragged edges, it is less likely to stick down tightly to the underlying basement membrane. Think of gluing two pieces of wood together: if they are exceptionally smooth, they might not adhere as well as if the surfaces were rough. Those who have an abnormal structure to the corneal epithelium (called map-dot-fingerprint dystrophy) are at much greater risk of poor healing following a corneal abrasion and, thus, can develop recurrent corneal erosion.