ABOUT Fuchs Dystrophy - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment
What is Fuchs' Dystrophy?
Fuchs' Dystrophy is a rare eye
disorder in which the cornea thins and develops a texture known as
"bull's-eye." It can cause pain, blurred vision, light sensitivity,
and other symptoms.
What Are The Symptoms Of Fuchs' Dystrophy?
People with Fuchs' dystrophy usually
do not have pain, but their vision may be blurry, especially in bright
sunlight. Sometimes they also experience eye dryness, redness, tearing,
sensitivity to light, and losing their ability to focus.
These symptoms are all related to the
weakened cornea. It is important to note that other eye conditions can cause
similar symptoms. As a result, an eye care specialist will need to examine the
patient to determine if Fuchs' dystrophy is present. However, if you have any
of these symptoms you should see your optometrist or ophthalmologist for a
professional diagnosis.
Causes of Fuchs' Dystrophy
In most cases, the cause is unknown.
In some cases, it may be due to an autoimmune condition called sarcoidosis or
viral infection such as herpes zoster (which causes shingles). Some common risk
factors include being older than 50 years old or being fair-skinned with blue
eyes. It also occurs more frequently in women than in men.
How Is Fuchs' Dystrophy Diagnosed?
If your doctor suspects you have
Fuchs' dystrophy, he or she will perform a variety of tests to confirm the
diagnosis.
You may be asked to complete your
medical history and eye exam. Your doctor will also likely refer you to an
ophthalmologist (a doctor who specializes in treating eye problems). The
ophthalmologist will measure the thickness of your cornea and examine the back
of your eyes with dilating drops or special contact lenses that make it easier
to see certain areas of the eye.
Finally, the doctor will perform a
detailed eye exam using a microscope. This exam confirms the diagnosis and may
also help to determine if surgery is needed.
What Is The Treatment For Fuchs' Dystrophy?
If your doctor suspects you have
Fuchs' dystrophy, he or she will likely recommend a combination of daily
treatments that are very effective in treating the condition. These include:
·
Pterygium treatment (also known as "fungus
removal").
·
Topical steroid medications (for example,
prednisone or dexamethasone).
·
Ophthalmic steroid medications (for example,
triamcinolone acetonide ointment). If your ophthalmologist suspects Fuchs'
dystrophy, he or she will probably suggest these medications in addition to the
other treatments listed above. These are usually the mainstay of treatment for
Fuchs' dystrophy. However, side effects can occur with both topical steroids
and ophthalmic steroids so it is important to closely monitor your response to
these drugs.
·
Fuchs' dystrophy medications. These are
prescription drugs that are obtained by your physician and then applied to the
surface of the eye.
They
strengthen the weakened cornea and also reduce inflammation. These medications
include:
Cyclosporine
(Neoral, Sandimmune). A prescription medication that is used to treat organ
graft rejection (in which the body tries to reject foreign tissue).
Cyclosporine
can be used topically to treat Fuchs' dystrophy, but it may also cause serious
side effects, including increased sensitivity to sunlight, dryness of the eyes,
nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and reduced immunity.
Frequently Asked Questions on Fuchs' Dystrophy
Will The Symptoms Of Fuchs' Dystrophy Go Away?
Although Fuchs' dystrophy is a
long-term condition, symptoms may improve over time as the cornea becomes
stronger.
In some cases, surgery is needed to
replace a cloudy area of the cornea. However, this surgery is elective and
should be considered if your symptoms have not improved with medication over
several weeks or months.
Should I Wear Sunglasses?
You should wear sunglasses when you
are in bright sunlight. Wearing sunglasses with UV protection will help protect
your eyes from the sun's harmful rays. Although Fuchs' dystrophy can be
treated, it cannot be cured and will not go away on its own.
Protecting your eyes from the sun is
one of the best ways to prevent further weakening of your corneas and other eye
problems such as cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
