Dystrophies

A corneal dystrophy is an abnormality of a specific part of the cornea that leads to corneal clouding. It may occur early in life, but is usually seen between the ages of 20 and 50. The dystrophy most commonly requiring a corneal transplant is Fuchs' dystrophy, a condition often found in older adults.

Granular, Lattice and Macular Corneal Dystrophies

Corneal dystrophies cause the cornea to become cloudy. Symptoms include decreased vision and occasional episodes of painful recurrent erosions. These dystrophies often run in families. Treatment options include medications, excimer laser removal of the surface of the cornea and corneal transplantation.

Fuchs' Corneal Dystrophy

Fuchs' corneal dystrophy is most common in middle aged and elderly patients and causes mild to severe corneal swelling. Early symptoms include mildly blurred vision, while advanced disease causes severely decreased vision and pain. Mild cases can often be treated with medications, while advanced disease may require surgery. The most common operation for Fuchs' dystrophy is corneal transplantation.