Fuchs' Corneal Dystrophy: Rare Eye Condition Symptoms

A rare disorder that causes complications with the cornea of the eye is known as Fuchs' dystrophy, or Fuchs' Corneal Dystrophy. Fuchs' dystrophy causes fluid to build in the cornea of the due to the result of the death of the endothelial cells within the eye. The fluid begins to accumulate because the endothelial cells are responsible for preventing an excess in fluid accumulation within the cornea. Due to the excess fluid accumulation, the eyes become cloudy, can swell, and pain can occur, as well as the loss of corneal transparency, which can lead to loss of vision.

While the exact cause of Fuchs' corneal dystrophy remains unknown, there are some known factors that appear to be associated with the condition. This corneal condition appears to be inherited from those with an autonomic dominant familial condition. This means if an adult has the condition, it is estimated about half of their children will have the condition. And, studies show that if an adult has a mild case of the condition, the children will have a severe case of the condition.

Symptoms of Fuchs' Corneal Dystrophy

Symptoms of Fuchs' corneal dystrophy usually do not become severely noticeable until after the condition has progressed. One common symptom people with this condition experience is blurred vision when waking up. The blurred vision often subsides or decreases the longer the person has been awake. Symptoms of Fuchs' corneal dystrophy also include fluid filled blisters on the cornea. These blisters are often painful and difficult to see due to their tiny size.

Other common symptoms of Fuchs' corneal dystrophy include changes in visions, such as decreased vision and distorted vision. Other symptoms include a difficulty seeing in the darkness, a sensitivity to light, and a halo appearance around light sources. Often, the cornea will appear cloudy. In severe cases of Fuchs' corneal dystrophy, blindness will occur.

Many people are not diagnosed with this condition until it has greatly progressed to the point their vision is severely affected. If you experience any of these symptoms, especially if they have occurred for a prolonged period of time or have gradually gotten worse, it is important to seek medical care from an ophthalmologist or optometrist for proper diagnosis.

If the condition is diagnosed early, the outcome is more promising. With proper treatment the symptoms of the condition can be decreased. Plus, the use of certain medications will slow the progression of the condition, prolonging sight.

References:

"Treatments and Drugs" MayoClinic
"Fuchs' Corneal Dystrophy" FuchsDystrophy
"Fuchs' Dystrophy" Fuchs Dystrophy