What is corneal Fuchs dystrophy?

Fuchs dystrophy is a disease of the cornea. In this condition, the layer of endothelial cells responsible for pumping fluid out of the cornea will degrade as the condition progresses, causing small bumps (guttae) to build up on the cornea. When enough cells are damaged, fluid accumulates in the cornea, causing corneal edema (swelling of the cornea).

Fuchs dystrophy often affects both of the eyes and might cause your eyesight to deteriorate over time. This condition often begins in the 30s and 40s and many patients with Fuchs dystrophy do not develop symptoms until they are in their 50s or 60s. Some medications such as eye drops and eye ointments may help alleviate the symptoms of Fuchs’ dystrophy.

Treating cataracts and Fuch’s dystrophy with extracapsular cataract extraction

Extracapsular cataract extraction is a type of cataract surgery in which the natural lenses of the eyes are removed through a larger corneal incision and without breaking up the lens, the intraocular lens is inserted into the cornea and closed using stitches.

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