Fuchs Dystrophy

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.

Who does Fuchs’ dystrophy affect?

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.