In Fuchs’ dystrophy, the cornea’s endothelium cells die off, causing the cornea to swell with fluid. This can cause vision loss. Your provider may recommend a transplant of corneal tissue.
Fuchs’ dystrophy (pronounced “fyooks di-struh-fee”) is a disease that usually affects the corneas of both eyes. Your cornea is the clear, tough, protective tissue that covers the white part of your eye. Other names for this corneal dystrophy are Fuchs’ corneal dystrophy and Fuchs’ endothelial corneal dystrophy.
In Fuchs’ dystrophy, your corneal endothelium (the innermost layer of your cornea) gradually stops working as cells die. When it’s healthy, your endothelium acts like a pump to remove fluid from your cornea so it stays clear.
As your endothelium cells stop working, your cornea may swell, which can cause blurred vision or a haze over your eye. Small blisters may appear on the surface of your cornea, causing pain and irritation.
Some people with Fuchs’ dystrophy have blurred vision in the morning that gradually clears up during the day. As the disease worsens, swelling becomes more consistent, and vision may be blurry at all times.
The earliest signs of Fuchs’ dystrophy may be visible in people in their 30s and 40s. However, the disease doesn't normally affect vision until you turn 50 or older.
There is a rare form that begins in some people during their first 10 years of life.
Fuchs’ dystrophy is more common in people assigned female at birth than in people assigned male at birth. It’s also more common in people who have a family history of Fuchs’ dystrophy.
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There are different ways of rating how bad Fuchs’ dystrophy gets. This is called staging. In the early stages, you might not have any symptoms. In fact, it’s unusual to have symptoms before the age of 50.
If you do have an early symptom, it might be that your vision is blurred in the morning, but gets better as the day goes on. This is because your eyes are closed during the night and keep moisture in. When your eyes are open, they become drier. Many eye problems cause dizziness or headaches.
Later signs and symptoms include:
Your eye care specialist will be able to see things in your eye exam that will point to a diagnosis of Fuchs’ dystrophy. These include:
You can inherit Fuchs’ dystrophy from one of your biological parents during conception (autosomal dominant), but some cases happen randomly (sporadically) without a history of this condition in your biological line. There are things that can make Fuchs’ dystrophy worse, including:
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Your healthcare provider will begin by taking a medical history, asking you questions about your symptoms and doing a thorough eye exam.
Your provider may use the following tests to diagnose Fuchs’ dystrophy:
Your provider can treat Fuchs’ dystrophy, but they can’t cure it. Your provider may choose observation during the early stages. Later treatment may include:
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There’s currently no way to prevent Fuchs’ dystrophy. However, you can help yourself by quitting smoking if you do smoke. If you have diabetes, work with your healthcare provider to manage your blood sugar levels.
Fuchs’ dystrophy can cause extreme pain, low vision and blindness without treatment.
It’s important to develop a good relationship with your eye care specialist. Keep your scheduled appointments, and contact them if you have any new or worsening symptoms.
You may want to ask your provider these or other questions:
If you have Fuchs’ dystrophy, you may have cataracts. Your provider may recommend you have cataract surgery only if your Fuchs’ dystrophy is only mild or moderate. However, cataract surgery may make Fuchs’ dystrophy worse.
You may need a corneal transplant if you don’t recover quickly after cataract surgery or if your Fuchs’ dystrophy gets worse after the cataract procedure.
If you have an advanced case of Fuchs’ dystrophy, your provider may suggest you have cataract surgery and a corneal transplant at the same time.
Most people with Fuchs’ dystrophy likely will be advised not to choose to have laser vision correction surgery. Fuchs’ dystrophy can make laser correction less accurate.
You may be able to wear contact lenses if you have Fuchs’ dystrophy, but you must be fitted correctly. Your eye care provider will recommend the best types of lenses for you, such as soft contact lenses or rigid gas permeable lenses.
Researchers continue to examine the relationship between glaucoma and Fuchs’ dystrophy. You may be more likely to have glaucoma or optical hypertension if you have a severe case of Fuchs’ dystrophy. Signs and symptoms of Fuchs’ dystrophy may overlap those of glaucoma. Also, treatments for one disease may make the other worse. For these reasons, researchers need to continue studying this topic.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Experiencing symptoms of any eye condition can be scary, and that’s true of Fuchs’ dystrophy. If you do have symptoms like pain or early morning blurred vision, see your healthcare provider as soon as possible. Remember that early detection and treatment often offer the best outcomes and that researchers continue to develop new ways to manage and treat Fuchs’ dystrophy and other conditions.
Last reviewed on 07/08/2022.
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy