Fuchs' dystrophy: How is it treated?

What is Fuchs' dystrophy? How is it treated?

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Answer

Fuchs' dystrophy is an inherited disorder that affects the cornea — the transparent front surface of your eye. Eventually, the disorder can lead to blindness. The exact cause isn't known.

In Fuchs' dystrophy, the cells that line the back surface (endothelium) of the cornea slowly deteriorate. The primary task of the endothelium is to remove excess fluid from the cornea to maintain its transparency. Destruction of the endothelial cells impairs this function. As a result, fluid builds up in the cornea. This causes swelling, which reduces the transparency of the cornea and causes blurred vision.

Signs and symptoms of Fuchs' dystrophy usually appear after age 50. In the early stages of the disease, you may wake up with blurred vision that gradually improves during the day. As the disease progresses, you may experience longer periods of impaired vision. You may also have eye pain caused by the eruption of tiny blisters (epithelial blisters) on the surface of the cornea. Eventually, blindness can result.

Treatment of Fuchs' dystrophy may include:

• Eyedrops or ointments to reduce the fluid content in the cornea
• Use of a warm hair dryer, held at arm's length or directed across the face, two or three times a day to evaporate excess fluid in the cornea
• Soft contact lenses to improve vision and reduce discomfort
• Surgery to cover the cornea with a thin membrane (conjunctival flap) to reduce pain
• Cornea transplant

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