Fuchs corneal dystrophy

Description

Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy is characterised by bilateral endothelial cell loss.  Examination signs include:

• central guttata – the presence of irregular warts or excrescences on Descemet membrane secreted by abnormal endothelial cells
• tiny dark spots caused by distribution of the regular endothelial mosaic which progress to a ‘beaten metal appearance’ 

History of Fuchs corneal dystrophy

1910 – Ernst Fuchs (1851-1930) reported 13 cases of central corneal clouding, loss of corneal sensation and formation of epithelial bullae which he labelled as ‘dystrophia epithelialis corneae’

1913 – Exacerbation of the disease post cataract surgery was noted

1920’s – The pathophysiology of Fuchs’ dystrophy was recognised as primarily a disease of the corneal endothelium, with Alfred Vogt a Swiss Ophthalmologist first using the term ‘central guttata’ in 1921

Associated Persons

• Ernst Fuchs (1851-1930)

Alternative names

• Fuchs’ endothelial-epithelial dystrophy

Controversies

Did they first describe or popularise or plagiarise?

References

Historical references

• List

Eponymous term review