Fuchs Dystrophy

Fuchs dystrophy is a condition that affects the front part of your eye, called the cornea. The cornea is a clear, dome-shaped layer that helps you see clearly. In Fuchs dystrophy, fluid collects in the cornea, causing it to swell and become thicker. This swelling can lead to several problems.

One of the main issues is glare. This is when bright lights seem extra harsh and uncomfortable. You might also have blurry or cloudy vision, making it hard to see things clearly. Eye discomfort, like a feeling of dryness or pain, is another common symptom.

Importantly, Fuchs dystrophy usually affects both eyes. Over time, the condition can gradually worsen, making your vision progressively worse.

This eye condition often starts to develop in people in their 30s or 40s, though many people don't experience noticeable symptoms until their 50s or 60s.

Fortunately, there are ways to manage the symptoms. Some medications and self-care strategies, like using lubricating eye drops, can help lessen the discomfort and glare.

For more severe cases, where vision problems become significant, a cornea transplant is often the best treatment option. A cornea transplant replaces the damaged part of the cornea with healthy tissue, helping to restore clear vision.

Fuchs dystrophy can affect both eyes as it progresses. Common symptoms include blurry or unclear vision, sometimes feeling like your vision is hazy. This blurry vision can change throughout the day, often being worse when you first wake up and gradually improving as the day goes on. As the condition worsens, the improvement in vision might take longer or not happen at all.

Another symptom is glare, which can make it harder to see in both dim and bright light. You might also see rings or halos around lights.

Sometimes, there's pain or a gritty feeling in your eyes due to tiny blisters forming on the surface of the front part of your eye (cornea).

If you notice any of these symptoms, especially if they are getting worse, it's important to see an eye doctor. They might recommend a specialist, called a corneal specialist, to help diagnose and manage the problem. If symptoms come on suddenly, get an appointment right away. Other eye problems can have similar symptoms, so prompt medical attention is important.

Experiencing eye symptoms, particularly if they worsen, warrants a visit to an eye doctor. This doctor might recommend a specialist, a corneal doctor, for further evaluation. If your symptoms appear suddenly, seek immediate medical attention. Other eye problems can mimic Fuchs dystrophy and also need prompt treatment.

The cornea, the clear front part of your eye, has special cells called endothelial cells on the inside. These cells are important because they help keep the right amount of fluid in the cornea, preventing it from becoming swollen.

In Fuchs dystrophy, these crucial endothelial cells start to die or stop working properly. This leads to a build-up of fluid, which we call corneal edema. This fluid build-up makes the cornea thicker and causes blurry vision.

Fuchs dystrophy often appears in families. Scientists don't fully understand exactly how it's passed down, as the reasons are quite complicated. Sometimes family members are affected very severely, and sometimes they're not affected at all, or only mildly. Different family members can have very different levels of the disease's impact.

Fuchs corneal dystrophy is a condition that affects the cornea, the clear front part of your eye. Several things can increase your chances of getting it.

• Gender: Women are more likely to develop Fuchs dystrophy than men.

• Family History: If someone in your family has Fuchs dystrophy, you have a higher risk of getting it yourself. This means there's a genetic link, where certain genes can make you more susceptible to the condition.

• Age: Fuchs dystrophy can sometimes start early in life, even in childhood, although this is uncommon. Most often, it develops in people in their 30s and 40s. However, many people don't experience any symptoms until their 50s or 60s. This means the condition can progress slowly over many years, and symptoms may not be noticeable for a long time.

A doctor specializing in eye care will check your vision. They might also run some tests to diagnose Fuchs dystrophy. These tests can include:

• Cornea examination: A special microscope (a slit lamp) is used to look for small, teardrop-shaped bumps (called guttae) on the back of your eye's clear front surface (cornea). This helps the doctor see if your cornea is swollen and determine the stage of your Fuchs dystrophy.

• Corneal thickness measurement: A test called corneal pachymetry measures how thick your cornea is. This helps the doctor understand the health of your cornea.

• Corneal tomography: This test takes a special picture of your cornea. It helps the doctor look for any swelling or changes in the cornea's structure.

• Corneal cell count (optional): In some cases, a doctor might use a special tool to count and examine the cells on the back of your cornea. This test isn't always necessary.

Mayo Clinic has a team of experts who can help you manage your Fuchs dystrophy. You can learn more about getting started with care at Mayo Clinic here.

Fuchs dystrophy can cause eye problems, but some treatments can help. The goal is to ease symptoms and improve vision.

Nonsurgical Treatments:

Sometimes, simple treatments can help manage Fuchs dystrophy symptoms. For example, eye drops containing salt water (like 5% sodium chloride) can help reduce extra fluid in the clear front part of your eye (cornea). Soft contact lenses can provide comfort by acting as a protective layer over the cornea.

Surgical Treatments (for advanced cases):

If your Fuchs dystrophy is more severe, surgery may be an option. Surgery can significantly improve vision and reduce symptoms for many years. Different types of surgery exist:

• Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK): This is a surgery to replace the inner layer of your cornea with healthy cells from a donor. It's usually done as an outpatient procedure using local anesthesia, meaning you won't be completely asleep. It's a good option for many people.

• Descemet-stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK): If DMEK isn't suitable (perhaps due to other eye conditions or prior eye surgery), your eye doctor might suggest DSEK. This involves removing the inner layer of the cornea and replacing it with healthy cells.

• Penetrating keratoplasty (PK): In very rare cases, a full-thickness cornea transplant, called penetrating keratoplasty, might be necessary. This is a more extensive surgery than DMEK or DSEK.

Future Treatments:

Scientists are actively researching new ways to treat Fuchs dystrophy. The discovery of the gene linked to most cases of the disease has given doctors a better understanding of how it develops. This knowledge opens up possibilities for new, non-surgical treatments. Researchers are developing different eye drops and new surgical techniques that may be helpful in the future. These could be tested in clinical trials soon.

Important Note: This information is for general knowledge and doesn't replace advice from your eye doctor. If you have Fuchs dystrophy, it's crucial to discuss your treatment options with a qualified eye care professional.