How to Prevent Fuchs Dystrophy

Fuchs dystrophy is an eye disease in which cells lining the inner surface of the cornea, called the endothelium, become dysfunctional and may result in decreased vision. The disease usually affects both eyes and affects women more than it does men.A person with Fuchs dystrophy may wake up with blurred vision and painful swelling in the eyes because the endothelial cells have gradually deteriorated. It is an inherited disease that if either of a person's parents has the disease, then that person has a 50% chance of also developing the condition.Since this is a hereditary disease, there is no way to completely prevent the disease. There are some steps to take to keep the disease from getting severe.

Things You'll Need

• physician
• hair dryer
• eye drops

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Instructions

How to Prevent Fuchs Dystrophy

• 1

  Visit the eye doctor regulary. The sooner the doctor finds symptoms of Fuchs Dystrophy, the more the doctor can do to help the condition. Doctors usually do not start finding signs of the disease until a person is in their 30's or 40's. Visual problems usually begin in the 50's.

• 2

  In the beginning stages of Fuchs Dystrophy, use eye drops. Concentrated salt water eye drops can dehydrate the cornea and improve vision.

• 3

  If there are still symptoms of Fuchs Dystrophy, dry the eyes briefly with a hairdryer. This will help symptoms of Fuchs Dystrophy from getting worse.

• 4

  Avoid cataract removal surgery. During cataract removal surgery , small bits of cataract fragments may hit the endothelium, which along with fluid circulating inside the eye, can cause more damage to the corneal endothelium.

• 5

  If cataract surgery cannot be avoided, make sure the surgeon uses precaution. A cataract surgeon can evaluate the risk and modify the technique of the cataract surgery to protect the endothelial cells.