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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffFuchs' dystrophy (fooks DIS-tre-fe) is a rare disorder that affects the cornea — the transparent front surface of your eye. Although the cause of Fuchs' dystrophy is unknown, it often occurs as an inherited disorder.
Normally, the cells that line the back surface (endothelium) of the cornea prevent excess fluid from accumulating in the cornea. This helps the cornea maintain its transparency. But with Fuchs' dystrophy, those endothelial cells slowly deteriorate and die off. As a result, fluid builds up in the cornea. This may cause swelling, cloudy vision, pain and loss of corneal transparency.
Fuchs' dystrophy causes a variety of vision problems and can eventually lead to blindness. Fuchs' dystrophy is considered one type of corneal dystrophy.
- Afshari NA, et al. Clinical study of Fuchs corneal endothelial dystrophy leading to penetrating keratoplasty. Archives of Ophthalmology. 2006;124:777.
- Biswell R. Cornea. In: Riordan-Eva P, et al. Vaughan & Asbury's General Ophthalmology, 17th edition. Columbus, Ohio: McGraw-Hill Companies; 2008.
- Facts about the cornea and corneal disease. National Eye Institute. http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/cornealdisease. Accessed June 18, 2009.
- Genetic and rare diseases information center. Office of Rare Diseases Research. http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD/QnA.aspx?PageID=4&CaseID=23860&DiseaseID=9678. Accessed June 18, 2009.
- Visiting your doctor. The Corneal Dystrophy Foundation. http://www.fuchs-dystrophy.com/index.html. Accessed June 18, 2009.
- Coping tips. The Corneal Dystrophy Foundation. http://www.fuchs-dystrophy.com/html/tips_for_you_to_alleviate_symp.html. Accessed June 18, 2009.
- Cornea conditions and updates. Cornea Research Foundation of America. http://www.cornea.org/crf_cornea.html. Accessed June 26, 2009.
- Artificial cornea. Cornea Research Foundation of America. http://www.cornea.org/study_cornea.html. Accessed June 26, 2009.
- 9. Current Fuchs' corneal dystrophy studies. The Corneal Dystrophy Foundation. http://www.cornealdystrophyfoundation.org/html/studies.html. Accessed June 26, 2009.
- Robertson DM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. July 1, 2009.
