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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffDoctors may see early signs of Fuchs' dystrophy in people who are in their 30s and 40s. But most people don't experience symptoms or problems until they're in their 50s and 60s. Signs and symptoms usually affect both eyes and include:
- Blurred vision on awakening that may gradually clear up as the day goes on
- Painful, tiny blisters (epithelial blisters) on the surface of your cornea — caused by excess fluid within the cornea
- Visual impairment, distorted vision and changes in vision
- Difficulty seeing at night
- Blindness
- Sensitivity to light
- Seeing halos around lights (astigmatism)
- A cornea that is cloudy or hazy in appearance
When to see a doctor
If you experience some of these symptoms, and especially if they get worse over time, see your eye doctor (ophthalmologist or optometrist). If symptoms develop suddenly, call an ophthalmologist for an urgent appointment. Many conditions that cause the same symptoms as Fuchs' dystrophy require prompt treatment.
- Afshari NA, et al. Clinical study of Fuchs corneal endothelial dystrophy leading to penetrating keratoplasty. Archives of Ophthalmology. 2006;124:777.
- Biswell R. Cornea. In: Riordan-Eva P, et al. Vaughan & Asbury's General Ophthalmology, 17th edition. Columbus, Ohio: McGraw-Hill Companies; 2008.
- Facts about the cornea and corneal disease. National Eye Institute. http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/cornealdisease. Accessed June 18, 2009.
- Genetic and rare diseases information center. Office of Rare Diseases Research. http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD/QnA.aspx?PageID=4&CaseID=23860&DiseaseID=9678. Accessed June 18, 2009.
- Visiting your doctor. The Corneal Dystrophy Foundation. http://www.fuchs-dystrophy.com/index.html. Accessed June 18, 2009.
- Coping tips. The Corneal Dystrophy Foundation. http://www.fuchs-dystrophy.com/html/tips_for_you_to_alleviate_symp.html. Accessed June 18, 2009.
- Cornea conditions and updates. Cornea Research Foundation of America. http://www.cornea.org/crf_cornea.html. Accessed June 26, 2009.
- Artificial cornea. Cornea Research Foundation of America. http://www.cornea.org/study_cornea.html. Accessed June 26, 2009.
- 9. Current Fuchs' corneal dystrophy studies. The Corneal Dystrophy Foundation. http://www.cornealdystrophyfoundation.org/html/studies.html. Accessed June 26, 2009.
- Robertson DM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. July 1, 2009.
