Fuchs' corneal dystrophy occurs when the innermost layer of cells in the cornea fails for no obvious reason. This layer of cells is responsible for removing the water out of the cornea; when there is excess water in the cornea, the cornea swells and the vision is affected. Fuchs' rarely affects visual acuity until the age of 50 or 60 and occurs more commonly in women. There are some treatments and remedies that an eye doctor may prescribe to manage this condition. When the remedies are unable to help and the patient is unable to continue with the activities of daily living, corneal transplant may be an option.
Medications to Reduce Corneal Swelling
To treat the swelling of the cornea, the eye doctors often prescribe eye drops or ointments to help dry the cornea out. This medication can be a concentrated salt solution that is available both as an eye drop and an ointment; the eye drops can be used several times a day and the ointment can be applied at bedtime, according to the Eye Doctors of Washington website. One example of this type of medicine is Muro 128, which is available either over the counter or as a prescription.
Soft Contact Lenses
As the cornea swells, the outer layer or epithelium may develop small blisters. These can be very painful when they burst according to the National Eye Institute. To manage this condition, the eye doctor may prescribe a soft contact lens for the eye. The patient can wear this lens for 1 to 2 months. There is a risk of corneal infection for people with Fuchs' corneal dystrophy who wear a contact lens.
Heat
Another remedy to remove the fluid from the cornea is to use a hair dryer. Some eye doctors may instruct the patient to use a hair dryer held at arm's length to dry out the blisters on the cornea as noted on the National Eye Institute website. The hair dryer should be set to a warm--not hot--setting and directed across the face to avoid any damage to the eyes.
Protecting the Eyes from Sunlight
As noted on the Mayo Clinic website, protecting the eyes from sunlight may make a person with Fuchs' corneal dystrophy more comfortable. The website suggests that tinted lenses in any prescription glasses may be helpful; wearing a wide-brimmed hat is another possible remedy. These actions are directed at improving comfort levels but do not have any actual impact on the condition itself.
Corneal Transplant
When the Fuchs' corneal dystrophy and the loss of vision begin to interfere with a patient's ability to function day-to-day, the eye doctor may suggest a corneal transplant procedure. In a corneal transplant, the disease cornea is replaced with a healthy donor cornea. According to the National Eye Institute, the short-term success of corneal transplants in patients with Fuchs' corneal dystrophy is good. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, transplantation of only the endothelial layer of cells can also be performed.
