Leukoplakia of the cornea presenting as fingerprint epithelial lines: a case report

Opacities in association with fingerprint patterns of the epithelium were seen in the upper half of the right cornea of a 52-year-old patient complaining of decreased vision. Removal of the corneal epithelium from the involved area resulted in visual improvement and normalization of corneal appearance. Histological examination of the removed epithelium failed to reveal the typical intraepithelial formation of basement membrane invaginations even in the areas corresponding to the fingerprint patterns. Moderate to severe degree of atypia were seen in the epithelial cells. No abnormalities were observed in 3 conjunctival specimens excised at the time of epithelial removal. The diagnosis of corneal dysplasia (leukoplakia) was made. Our report is the first description of epithelial fingerprint patterns of the cornea associated with leukoplakia.