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Fuchs' dystrophy

Contents of this page:

Alternative Names   

Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy, Fuchs' corneal dystrophy

Definition    Return to top

Fuchs' (pronounced Fooks) dystrophy is an eye disease in which cells lining the inner surface of the cornea slowly start to die off. The disease usually affects both eyes.

Causes    Return to top

Fuchs' dystrophy can be inherited, which means it can be passed down from parents to children. In some famalies, it is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner. That means that if either of your parents have has the disease, you have a 50% chance of developing the condition.

However, the condition may also occur in persons without a known family history of the disease.

Fuchs' dystrophy is more common in women than in men. Vision problems usually do not appear before age 50, although doctors may be able to see signs of the disease in affected persons at an earlier age, usually in their 30s and 40s.

Fuchs' dystrophy affects the thin layer of cells that line the back part of the cornea. This layer is called the endothelium. The disease occurs when these cells slowly start to die off. (The cause is unknown.) The cells help pump excess fluid out of the cornea. As more and more cells are lost, fluid begins to build up in the cornea, causing swelling and a cloudy cornea.

At first, fluid may build up only during sleep, when the eye is closed. As the disease gets worse, small blisters may form in the endothelium. The blisters get bigger and may eventually break, causing eye pain. Fuchs dystrophy can also cause the shape of the cornea to change, causing further vision problems.

Symptoms    Return to top

Exams and Tests    Return to top

A doctor can diagnose Fuchs' dystrophy during a slit-lamp examination.

Additional tests that may be done include:

Treatment    Return to top

Eye drops or ointments that draw fluid out of the cornea are used to relieve symptoms of Fuchs' dystrophy.

If painful sores develop on the cornea, soft contact lenses or surgery to create flaps over the sores may help reduce pain.

The only cure for Fuchs' dystrophy is a corneal transplant. Fuchs' dystrophy is one of the leading reasons for corneal transplant in the United States.

Deep lamellar keratoplasty (DLK) is an alternative to a traditional transplant. In this procedure, only the deep layers of the cornea are replaced with donor tissue. The procedure requires no stitches. Recovery time is faster and there are fewer complications

Outlook (Prognosis)    Return to top

Fuchs' dystrophy gets worse over time. Without a corneal transplant, a patient may become blind or have severe pain and very reduced vision.

Mild cases of Fuchs' dystrophy often worsens after cataract surgery. A cataract surgeon will evaluate this risk and may modify the technique or the timing of your cataract surgery.

Possible Complications    Return to top

Complications of Fuchs' dystrophy include:

When to Contact a Medical Professional    Return to top

Call your health care provider if you have:

Prevention    Return to top

There is no known prevention. Avoiding cataract surgery or taking special precautions during cataract surgery may help slow down the course of the disease.

References    Return to top

Albert D, Jakobiec F. Principles and Practice of Ophthalmology. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa; Saunders, 2000; 706-30.

Goldman L, Ausiello D. Cecil Textbook of Medicine. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2004:2409.

Krachmer J, Mannis M, Holland E. Cornea Fundamentals, Diagnosis, and Management. 2nd ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2005: 938-48.

Yanoff M, Duker JS, Augsburger JJ, et al. Yanoff: Ophthalmology. 2nd ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2004:424-26.

Update Date: 8/22/2008

Updated by: Paul B. Griggs, MD, Department of Ophthalmology, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, WA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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