Fuchs’ Dystrophy

What is Fuchs’ Dystrophy?

Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy is a progressive disease resulting in clouding of the cornea and eventual reduction in vision. It affects the corneal endothelial cells which are a specialized single layer of cells on the back surface of the cornea that pump water out of it. When healthy, this keeps the cornea thin and clear.

Endothelial cells do not have the ability to regenerate and hence if they are damaged the cornea gradually begins to swell with water, making it hazy and leading to loss of vision.

What are the symptoms?

A healthy cornea is clear and bright, however, in advanced Fuchs’ dystrophy, the cornea can become hazy and dull due to swelling which affects your quality of vision. Typical symptoms include:

• Foggy vision, particularly in the morning when you wake up
• Glare and haloes around bright lights
• Typically, vision begins to improve toward the end of the day but this may not happen in advanced cases

While early signs of Fuchs’ dystrophy can be detected by an eye surgeon even in patients in their thirties, it is relatively uncommon for patients to become symptomatic and require surgery until they are in their fifties.

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What are the causes?

Some reduction in endothelial cells is normal and happens because of ageing. A baby is born with roughly 4000 endothelial cells per square millimetre, whilst an 80-year-old without Fuchs’ dystrophy has an endothelial cell count usually between 1500-2500 per square millimetre. The cornea remains clear even up to around 800 cells per square millimetre. However, in a patient with Fuchs’ there is an accelerated rate of cell loss, such that a 50 years old may have less than 500 cells per square millimetre.

In addition, endothelial cells in Fuchs’ patients are abnormal and can accumulate abnormal proteins resulting in small bumps on the back of the cornea called guttata.

Fuchs’ dystrophy occurs as a result of abnormal genes that affect the function of endothelial cells, not all of these are well understood yet. Whilst Fuchs’ can be expressed by different generations of the same family, it can also commonly occur sporadically where there is no previous family history. Inheritance of the Fuchs’ gene is also variable and the fact that you have Fuchs’ doesn’t always mean that your offspring will express Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy.

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How do we treat Fuchs’ Dystrophy at Netra?

Acupuncture

Clinical studies have shown Acupuncture is effective in a wide range of disorders including Eye Diseases, Diabetes, Hyperthyroidism, Hypothyroidism, Hashimoto, Cushing’s Syndrome, Osteoporosis, Thyroiditis, PCOS / Addison’s Disease and Menopause.

• Increases Ocular Circulation.
• Reduces Inflammation and Increases Circulation.
• Non-Surgical and Opioid-Free treatment.
• No side effects and safe.
• Releases Endorphins to combat pain.

Ayurvedic Medicine

Ayurveda offers one of the most effective medicines for digestive issues and helps to correct root cause of your condition.

• Complete holistic healing system in existence more than 3000 years.
• Based on the concept of root-cause diagnosis and management.
• Focuses equally on prevention and cure to improve quality of life.
• Helps identify and recommends foods for your body type and condition.

Herbal Medicine

Herbal medicine has a history of at least several thousand years and uses mostly plants to treat diseases and promote health.

Can successfully treat many chronic and complex conditions.

• Clinically and scientifically proven to treat a wide range of complex eye conditions.
• Safe and has relatively less side effects.
• Helps boost your immune system naturally.
• Shown to reduce stress and relieve anxiety.
• Improves respiratory and cardiovascular function.

Therapeutic Yoga

Therapeutic Yoga or Yoga Therapy involves employing a variety of yoga practices to help improve a health.

It also adapts the practice of Yoga to the needs of people with specific health condition.

• Improves strength, balance and flexibility.
• Helps with chronic pain relief.
• Improves circulation and reduces blood pressure.
• Reduces stress and improves sleep.
• Improves respiratory and cardiovascular function.