Causes and risk factors
High incidence is seen in older people. As the age advances the risk for developing Fuchs increases. Although the exact cause is still not clear. It is seen inherited in some people. The inner cell layer of the cornea helps is maintaining the adequate amount of fluid in the eye. It removes the excess amount of fluid from the eye. As the inner cells of the cornea become to degenerate the excess amount of fluid cannot be drained out, swelling of cornea occurs, this leads to accumulation of fluid in the cornea giving rise to signs and symptoms.
Clinical presentation:
Unilateral or bilateral affection can be seen. Initially the symptoms are mild, as the diseases progress the complaints become worse. The patient complaints of pain in and around the affected eye, sensation as if something has got stuck in eyes. The vision is affected. In the early stage the vision is affected only in the morning. As the day progress the vision is improved. Later as the diseases advances the difficulty of vision increases. Everything appears blurred or foggy. Day as well as night vision is disturbed.The person can see halos around the eyes. The complaints become worse in rainy seasons are ameliorated in dry weather.
Investigations:
Diagnosis is done of the basis of the symptoms narrated by the patient and the examination carried out by the ophthalmologist. Slit lamp instrument is used for examining the cornea. Pachymetry can also help in diagnosis. Visual acuity test is also recommended.
Treatment:
The treatment plan consists of use of eye drops or ointments that will help in removing the excess of fluids from the eyes. Soft lenses or RGP contact lenses can be used. Corneal transplantation is the only treatment available for Fuchs dystrophy. Endothelial keratoplasty is the newer technique available.
Recent update:
Researchers from the University of Oregon has founded out a gene which is responsible for Fuchs dystrophy, it is transcription-factor-4 gene (TCF4).
