Fuchs Dystrophy

Expert Cornea Care for Fuchs Dystrophy Understanding Your Diagnosis

The inner layer of the cornea is lined with endothelial cells that regulate fluid and keep the tissue clear. In Fuchs Dystrophy, these cells deteriorate over time, allowing fluid to accumulate within the cornea. The result is thickening, haziness, and progressively blurred vision — often at its worst in the morning and improving slightly as the day goes on. Fuchs is hereditary, but its impact varies significantly. Some family members may develop significant vision loss while others experience only mild changes or none at all. Certain treatments can relieve symptoms but won't stop the disease's progression. When vision loss becomes functionally significant, a corneal transplant is the most effective treatment. The modern approach — DMEK (Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty) — replaces only the diseased cell layer rather than the full cornea, allowing for faster recovery and better visual outcomes than older techniques.