Description

Fuchs ' dystrophy is a condition in which fluid accumulates in the transparent tissue in the front of the eye, called the cornea. This causes the cornea to swell and thicken, which leads to glare, blurry vision or blurred vision and eye pain.

Fuchs (fewks) dystrophy usually affects both eyes. This can cause your vision gets worse with time. The disease often starts in the 30's and 40's, but many people with Fuchs ' dystrophy do not develop symptoms until you reach 50 or 60 years.

Some medications and self-care measures can help relieve the symptoms of Fuchs ' dystrophy. When the disease is advanced of the most serious causes vision problems, surgery, corneal transplant is the best way to restore vision.

Symptoms

As Fuchs ' dystrophy worsens, the symptoms usually affect both eyes. Symptoms may include:

  • Blurred or blurry vision, sometimes described as a lack of clear vision.
  • Changes in vision during the day. The symptoms are worse in the morning when you wake up and slowly get better during the day. As the disease gets worse, blurred vision may take more time to get better or there is no improvement at all.
  • The glow, which can decrease your vision in dim and bright light.
  • Seeing halos around lights.
  • The pain or the roughness of small blisters on the surface of the cornea.

When to see a doctor

If you have any of these symptoms, and especially if they get worse, check with an eye care professional. The eye care professional may refer you to a corneal specialist. If symptoms develop suddenly, call for an urgent appointment. Other eye conditions that cause the same symptoms as Fuchs ' dystrophy, also require immediate treatment.

Causes

The cells that line the inside of the cornea are called endothelial cells. Those cells that help maintain a healthy balance of fluids within the cornea and to keep the cornea from swelling. In Fuchs ' dystrophy, endothelial cells slowly die or do not work well, causing the buildup of fluid within the cornea. The buildup of fluid called edema, causes thickening of the cornea and blurred vision.

Fuchs ' dystrophy tends to occur in families. The genetic basis of the disease is complex. The members of the family can be affected to different degrees, or not at all.

Risk factors

Some of the factors that make it more likely that you'll develop Fuchs ' dystrophy Which include:

  • Sex. Fuchs ' dystrophy is more common in women than in men.
  • Genetics. Having a family history of Fuchs ' dystrophy increases your risk.
  • Age. There is a rare early-onset type of Fuchs ' dystrophy that begins in childhood. The majority of the cases start in the 30's and 40's, but many people with Fuchs ' dystrophy do not develop symptoms until 50 or 60 years.

Diagnosis

An eye care professional will test your vision. You can also do an analysis to aid in the diagnosis of Fuchs ' dystrophy. These tests may include:

  • Cornea review and rating. A member of your care team of the eyes, use an eye out for special microscope called a slit lamp to look in drop-shaped bumps called guttae on the back surface of the cornea. This eye care professional will then check your cornea to the swelling and the stage of Fuchs ' dystrophy.
  • The thickness of the cornea. An eye doctor may use a test called corneal pachymetry to measure corneal thickness.
  • Corneal tomography. Take a special photo of your cornea help of a professional eye health look for swelling in the cornea. This test is called a corneal tomography.
  • Corneal cell count. Sometimes an eye care professional uses a special instrument to record the number, size and shape of the cells lining the back part of the cornea. This test is not necessary.

Treatment

Some of the non-surgical treatments can help relieve symptoms of Fuchs ' dystrophy. If you have the advanced disease, an eye doctor may suggest surgery.

Medications and other therapies

  • The eyes of the medicine. Saline solution (5% sodium chloride) eye drops or ointments may help reduce the amount of fluid in the cornea.
  • Soft contact lenses. These act as a cover to relieve the pain.

Surgery

People who have surgery for advanced Fuchs ' dystrophy can have better vision and remain free of symptoms for years. Surgical options include:

  • The transplantation of the inner layer of the cornea. This is called Descemet's membrane endothelial keratoplasty, also known as DMEK. In this procedure, the posterior layer of the cornea is replaced by healthy endothelial cells from a donor. It is usually performed under local anesthesia and on an outpatient basis.
  • The transplantation of the cornea. If you have another eye disease or have already had surgery of the eyes, DMEK may not be an option. A doctor may recommend a partial-thickness cornea transplant. This is called Descemet-stripping endothelial keratoplasty, also known as DSEK. In exceptional cases, a full-thickness cornea transplant can be done. This type of transplant is called a penetrating keratoplasty, also known as PK.

Potential future treatments

A variety of new treatments are being investigated that could change the shape in the Fuchs ' dystrophy is managed in the future. Since the discovery of the genetic mutation associated with the most cases of Fuchs ' dystrophy, there is a better understanding of how the disease can develop. This offers the possibility of nonsurgical therapies in the future. Several drops to the eyes of the treatments that are being developed and may enter clinical trials in the future. The novel surgical treatments are also being studied to see if it might be useful.

Lifestyle and home remedies

Follow the instructions from your team of eye care to take care of your eyes. You can also try with other things to help reduce glare and soothe your eyes.

  • The use without a prescription salt solution (5% sodium chloride) eye drops or ointment.
  • Dry eyes with a hairdryer. Keep it at arm's length, and direct warm — not hot — to-air on your face, especially in the morning when swelling is at its worst. This helps to eliminate the excess fluid in the cornea, which reduces swelling.

Preparing for your appointment

You can start by seeing an eye care professional called an optometrist or an ophthalmologist. Or you may be referred immediately to an ophthalmologist, who specializes in disease of the cornea.

Here is the information to help you prepare for your appointment.

What you can do

When you make the appointment, ask if there is something that you need to do beforehand. Make a list of:

  • Your symptoms, including any that seem unrelated to the reason for your appointment.
  • Key personal information, including major stresses, recent life changes and family history of diseases of the eyes.
  • All medications, vitamins or supplements that you are taking, including the dosage.
  • Questions to ask your doctor.

Have a family member or a friend, if possible, to help you remember the information they give you. In addition, it is possible that you do not want to drive back home if their pupils are dilated to the test.

For Fuchs ' dystrophy, questions include:

  • What is likely causing my symptoms?
  • Other that the most likely cause, what are other possible causes of the symptoms?
  • How will my vision be affected?
  • What tests do I need?
  • What is the best course of action?
  • What are the alternatives to the primary approach you're suggesting?
  • I have these other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
  • There are restrictions that must be followed?
  • You should see a specialist?
  • Are there brochures or other printed material I can have? What sites do you recommend?

Do not hesitate to ask other questions.

What to expect from your doctor

You'll likely be asked a few questions, such as:

  • When did your symptoms begin?
  • The symptoms been continuous or occasional?
  • How severe are the symptoms?
  • What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
  • What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
  • To make a change in their symptoms throughout the day?
  • Have you noticed changes in your vision?
  • Does your vision seems worse in the morning and improve during the day?
Symptoms and treatment of Fuchs ' dystrophy