Abstract
Fuchs’ corneal dystrophy (FCD) is a progressive, hereditary disease of the cornea first described a century ago by the Austrian ophthalmologist Ernst Fuchs. Patients often present in the fifth to sixth decade of life with blurry morning vision that increases in duration as the disease progresses. Primarily a condition of the posterior cornea, characteristic features include the formation of focal excrescences of Descemet membrane termed ‘guttae’, loss of endothelial cell density and end-stage disease manifested by corneal edema and the formation of epithelial bullae. Recent advances in our understanding of the genetic and pathophysiological mechanisms of the disease, as well as the application of new imaging modalities and less invasive surgical procedures, present new opportunities for improved outcomes among patients with FCD.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
Research in the paper was supported by NIH grant R01EY016835. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.