Dr. Greg Moloney, MBBS, BSC MED, MMED, FRCSC, Ophthalmologist, explains the symptoms and treatment options of Fuch's Dystrophy.

Fuchs dystrophy is a genetic condition that affects the innermost layer of your cornea, the endothelial in a healthy eye. The endothelium is a densely packed sheet of hexagonal shaped cells. These cells pump fluid to keep a cornea from swelling. In Fuchs dystrophy, there is a gradual accumulation of protein lumps termed guttae that interfere with the function of the endothelial cells. As guttae form on the inside of your cornea, they may scatter light making you sensitive to oncoming car headlights. That may cause blur, preventing you from seeing fine detail. Eventually, they can prevent endothelial cells from pumping fluid, leading to corneal swelling. This is typically worst in the morning, with patients describing vision that is blurry on waking and then clearing slowly throughout the day. Often seeing a local Ophthalmologists or Optometrist in conjunction with your family physician or a registered dietician is a great option to dealing with eye conditions and symptoms.

Fortunately, treatments for fuchs dystrophy are already excellent and continue to improve. We can replace your cells with an elegant transplant procedure called a DMEK. Our research in Sydney and more recently, Vancouver has helped propel non transplant surgery as an option for fuchs patients. In a surgery termed DEWEK, or DSO, the central guttae can be stripped and the cornea encouraged to heal on its own. Being diagnosed with fuchs can be distressing, but with the treatment options that we have available for restoration of clear vision should be possible for patients.

If you have been diagnosed with fuchs dystrophy and are seeking more information, speak to your optician or your ophthalmologist. Presenter: Dr. Greg Moloney, Ophthalmologist, Vancouver, BC