Fuchs’ dystrophy is a condition that affects your corneas. It is a genetic condition that patients are born with. Most people with Fuchs’ dystrophy don’t experience any symptoms until they reach middle age.
If you have Fuchs’ dystrophy, the cells in your cornea’s inner layer will decrease in number and malfunction. The job of these cells is to pump fluid from your cornea to maintain its clarity.
If these cells decrease, fluid will start to build up. Your cornea will begin to accumulate fluid and vision decreases.
Fuchs’ dystrophy typically occurs in two stages. In the first stage, a patient’s vision will be a little hazy in the morning. As the corneal disease progresses into stage two, their vision will be blurry all day long.
Patients might be in their 30s and 40s and not realize that they have Fuchs’ dystrophy. Their vision problems might not appear until they’re in their 50s. Women are typically more commonly diagnosed with the condition than men.
Symptoms of Fuchs’ DystrophyYou might notice a few symptoms when you’re in stage one of Fuchs’ dystrophy. Your vision could look blurry when you get up but could improve during the day. That’s because your eyes accumulate a lot of fluid when they’re closed while sleeping; the fluid evaporates after the eyes open when you wake up.
Your vision won’t get better as the day progresses when you’re in stage two of Fuchs’ dystrophy. A lot of fluid will build up in your eyes while you’re sleeping. Unfortunately, there’ll be so much fluid that it won’t be able to dry out during the day.
Additionally, you might start to notice tiny blisters forming on your cornea. The blisters will grow and eventually pop, resulting in eye pain. Other symptoms of Fuchs’ dystrophy include sensitivity to light, gritty feelings in the eyes, and very blurry vision, prohibiting driving in rain or night hours.
Our SpecialistFuchs’ dystrophy is diagnosed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist.
Your eye doctor will also look for small blisters on the front and back of your cornea. They might count how many endothelial cells you have in your cornea.
There isn’t a medical cure for Fuchs’ dystrophy, but there are very good ways to manage its effects. The treatment options you’re prescribed depend on how the condition is affecting you.
Some options include ointments, eye drops, or using a hair dryer to dry your eyes. People with more advanced Fuchs’ dystrophy might need a corneal transplant (DSEK or DMEK).
At Lehigh Eye Specialists, we know how overwhelming and scary problems with your eyes can be. Our team of experienced optometrists and ophthalmologists are committed to providing you with exceptional care for Fuchs’ dystrophy. We use the latest in eye care innovations so we can provide our patients with high-quality care and services.
If your doctor has referred you to our specialists, we look forward to welcoming you. In preparation for your appointment, please visit our Patient Portal page. You may also wish to learn more about our practice on our About page.
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