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Eye conditions
Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy
In Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy, the cornea of the eye becomes cloudy over time. This causes blurred or hazy vision that progressively worsens.
Overview
Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy is a disease of the cornea – the clear window at the front of the eye. The cornea allows light to enter the eye and is the main part of the eye used for focusing.
The cells lining the cornea (endothelial cells) help maintain fluid balance and prevent the cornea from swelling. In Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy, the endothelial cells gradually die and fluid builds up within the cornea. This makes it difficult to focus, causing blurred vision.
The condition usually affects both eyes. It can worsen with age and cataract surgery.
Learn about our corneal research
Our corneal research team strives to improve all aspects of corneal transplantation, and develop better treatments for conditions such as Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy and keratoconus.
Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy is a disease of the cornea – the clear window at the front of the eye. The cornea allows light to enter the eye and is the main part of the eye used for focusing.
The cells lining the cornea (endothelial cells) help maintain fluid balance and prevent the cornea from swelling. In Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy, the endothelial cells gradually die and fluid builds up within the cornea. This makes it difficult to focus, causing blurred vision.
The condition usually affects both eyes. It can worsen with age and cataract surgery.
Learn about our corneal research
Our corneal research team strives to improve all aspects of corneal transplantation, and develop better treatments for conditions such as Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy and keratoconus.
How common is it?
Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy affects one in every 25 Australians over the age of 40. This is almost half a million people.
Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy affects one in every 25 Australians over the age of 40. This is almost half a million people.
Causes and risk factors
It is unknown what causes the endothelial cells of the cornea to die. However, there are three main risk factors for developing the disease:
- Family history – the condition is often inherited.
- Age – the disease typically starts when people are in adulthood. But most people don’t develop symptoms until they reach their 50s.
- Sex – Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy is more common in women than in men.
It is unknown what causes the endothelial cells of the cornea to die. However, there are three main risk factors for developing the disease:
- Family history – the condition is often inherited.
- Age – the disease typically starts when people are in adulthood. But most people don’t develop symptoms until they reach their 50s.
- Sex – Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy is more common in women than in men.
Signs and symptoms
Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy tends to progress slowly over many years.
In the early stage of the condition, you may notice few – if any – symptoms. Vision may be hazy in the morning but improve as the day goes on.
As the condition progresses, vision will typically remain blurry all day. Other symptoms may include:
- pain
- sandy or gritty feeling in your eyes
- being extra sensitive to bright light.
If you have these symptoms, especially if they get worse over time, see your eye healthcare provider.
Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy tends to progress slowly over many years.
In the early stage of the condition, you may notice few – if any – symptoms. Vision may be hazy in the morning but improve as the day goes on.
As the condition progresses, vision will typically remain blurry all day. Other symptoms may include:
- pain
- sandy or gritty feeling in your eyes
- being extra sensitive to bright light.
If you have these symptoms, especially if they get worse over time, see your eye healthcare provider.
Diagnosis
An ophthalmologist or optometrist can detect the disease with an eye exam.
They will measure the thickness of your cornea and check for tiny blisters at the front and bumps at the back. They may also count your endothelial cells using a special photo of your cornea.
An ophthalmologist or optometrist can detect the disease with an eye exam.
They will measure the thickness of your cornea and check for tiny blisters at the front and bumps at the back. They may also count your endothelial cells using a special photo of your cornea.
Treatment
There is no medical treatment for Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy. But it is possible to control the symptoms and minimise vision loss.
Eye drop medications or ointments can reduce swelling in the cornea. Self-care strategies, such as drying the surface of the cornea with a hairdryer, can also help.
If the disease is advanced and there’s vision loss, you may need a corneal transplant. This operation replaces the impaired corneal cells with all or part of a healthy clear cornea from a donor.
Your eye healthcare provider will discuss what treatments are best for your condition.
There is no medical treatment for Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy. But it is possible to control the symptoms and minimise vision loss.
Eye drop medications or ointments can reduce swelling in the cornea. Self-care strategies, such as drying the surface of the cornea with a hairdryer, can also help.
If the disease is advanced and there’s vision loss, you may need a corneal transplant. This operation replaces the impaired corneal cells with all or part of a healthy clear cornea from a donor.
Your eye healthcare provider will discuss what treatments are best for your condition.
Can it be prevented?
Fuch’s endothelial dystrophy cannot be prevented. But having regular eye exams after the age of 50 can catch the disease before it starts causing pain and vision loss.
Fuch’s endothelial dystrophy cannot be prevented. But having regular eye exams after the age of 50 can catch the disease before it starts causing pain and vision loss.
Our corneal research
CERA researchers are investigating new treatments for Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy and innovative ways of improving corneal transplants.
A few things we’re working on include:
- A new treatment for Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy. This study will investigate whether removing the innermost layer of the cornea can improve vision, without needing a full corneal transplant.
- Developing stem cell technologies that can replace the inner cells of the cornea. This technology has the potential to produce enough cells from one donor to treat many people.
- Striving to develop an artificial cornea and grow corneal cells in the lab. This is to prevent problems with rejection and supply of donor tissue. This is the ultimate aim of our Corneal Research Unit.
Learn more about our corneal research
CERA researchers are investigating new treatments for Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy and innovative ways of improving corneal transplants.
A few things we’re working on include:
- A new treatment for Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy. This study will investigate whether removing the innermost layer of the cornea can improve vision, without needing a full corneal transplant.
- Developing stem cell technologies that can replace the inner cells of the cornea. This technology has the potential to produce enough cells from one donor to treat many people.
- Striving to develop an artificial cornea and grow corneal cells in the lab. This is to prevent problems with rejection and supply of donor tissue. This is the ultimate aim of our Corneal Research Unit.