FUCHS’ DYSTROPHY
Fuchs’ Endothelial Dystrophy or FED is a degenerative disorder affecting the corneal endothelium. Endothelial cells are one of the four basic types of animal tissue, which helps the body with secretion, absorption, protection, transcellular transport, and sensation.
How Does It Affect the Eyes?
As endothelial cells gradually deteriorate, the eye loses its natural ability to regulate its own pressure. This build-up of pressure can lead to the thickening of the Descemet’s membrane, which lies between the stroma and the endothelial layer of the cornea. This condition can lead to increased swelling or corneal stroma edema, which can cause damaged vision by causing changes in the natural curvature of the cornea. Fuchs’ Dystrophy usually affects both eyes and is more common in women than in men.
Although early signs of FED can often be detected in patients as young as 30, the disease rarely begins to effect the vision until well into the 50’s and 60’s. Often times patients suffering from FED will notice that they wake in the morning experiencing blurred vision which clears throughout the day, this is caused by a retention of fluid during sleep.
Is There a Cure for Fuchs’ Dystrophy?
There are a variety of effective treatments available today for FED as well as other types of dystrophies. Let the first class surgeons at Newsom Eye conduct a routine eye exam on you today and learn if you may be at risk for FED.