What Is Fuchs' Dystrophy?
Fuchs' dystrophy is a disease of the cornea. It is when cells in the corneal layer called the endothelium gradually die off. These cells normally pump fluid from the cornea to keep it clear. When they die, fluid builds up and the cornea gets swollen and puffy. Vision becomes cloudy or hazy.
Fuchs' dystrophy has two stages. In the early stage (stage 1), vision is usually hazy in the morning. With the later stage 2, vision remains blurry all day.
People in their 30s and 40s may have Fuchs' dystrophy but not know it. Vision problems might not appear until age 50 or later. Women are more likely than men to have Fuchs' dystrophy. Family history of Fuchs’ dystrophy also increases your risk of developing it.
What Are Fuchs' Symptoms?
In the early stage (stage 1) of Fuchs' dystrophy, you may notice few, if any, symptoms. Your vision may be hazy or blurry when you first wake up, but improve throughout the day. This is because
your eyes normally stay moist when they are closed during sleep. But when you are awake, the fluid dries normally.
In the later stage (stage 2), your blurry or hazy vision will not get better as the day goes on. Too much fluid builds up during sleep and not enough dries up during the day. Also, tiny blisters may form in the cornea. The blisters
get bigger and eventually break open, causing eye pain.Here are other symptoms:
- Sandy or gritty feeling in your eyes
- Being extra sensitive to bright light
- Eye problems get worse in humid areas
- Very blurry or hazy vision from scarring at the center of the cornea