Overview:

Fuch's dystrophy is a slowly progressing disease that usually affects both eyes and is slightly more common in women than in men. Although doctors can often see early signs of Fuch's dystrophy in people in their 30s and 40s, the disease rarely affects vision until a person reaches their 50s and 60s. Fuch's dystrophy occurs when endothelial cells gradually deteriorate without any apparent reason, such as trauma or inflammation. As more endothelial cells are lost over the years, the cornea becomes less efficient at pumping water out of the stroma. This causes the cornea to swell and to distort vision. Eventually, the epithelium also takes on water, resulting in great pain and severe visual impairment.

Epithelial swelling damages vision in two ways: (1) changing the cornea's normal curvature, and (2) causing a sight-impairing haze to appear in the tissue. Epithelial swelling will also produce tiny blisters on the corneal surface. When the blisters burst, they are extremely painful.

The cornea is comprise of 3 layers of tissue as follows:

• EPITHELIUM: As the cornea's outermost region--comprising about 10 percent of the tissue's thickness--the epithelium functions primarily to: (1) block the passage of foreign material--such as dust or water--into the eye and other layers of the cornea, and (2) provide a smooth surface that absorbs oxygen and other needed cell nutrients that are contained in tears. This layer, which is about five cells deep, is filled with thousands of tiny nerve endings that make the cornea extremely sensitive to pain when rubbed or scratched.

• STROMA: Located behind the epithelium, the stroma comprises about 90 percent of the cornea. It consists primarily of water (78 percent); layered protein fibers (16 percent) that give the cornea its strength, elasticity, and form; and cells that nourish it. The unique shape, arrangement, and spacing of the protein fibers are essential in producing the cornea's light-conducting transparency.

• ENDOTHELIUM: This single layer of cells is located between the stroma and the aqueous humor (see diagram). Because the stroma tends to absorb water, the endothelium's primary task is to pump excess water out of the stroma. Without this pumping action, the stroma would swell with water, become hazy, and ultimately opaque.

Causes:

At first, a person with Fuch's dystrophy will awaken with blurred vision that will gradually clear during the day. This occurs because the cornea is normally thicker in the morning, and it retains fluids during sleep that evaporate in the tear film while we are awake. But as the disease worsens, this swelling will remain constant and reduce vision throughout the day.

Conventional Treatment:

When treating the disease, doctors will try first to reduce the swelling with ointments or soft contact lenses. They may also instruct a person to use a hair dryer, held at arm's length or directed across the face, to dry out the epithelial blisters. This can be done two or three times per day.

But when the disease makes even the most simple tasks hard to complete, a person may need to consider having a corneal transplant to restore sight. The short-term success rate of corneal transplantation is quite good for people with Fuch's dystrophy. But, some studies do suggest that the long-term survival of the donor cornea can be a problem.

Complementary Treatment:

Below are nutrients and eyedrops that may help reduce the symptoms of Fuch's Disease.

To order either "Click Here" for the complete product list or click on any product below for a greater description or also to order.

If you are not sure which nutrients you need, we offer free consultations either by e-mail or by telephone (845-255-8222).

Essential: VIVA-Drops from Advanced Pharmaceuticals. Adds vitamin A directly to your eyes. Cost to you is $12 per bottle.
Essential MSM Eyedrops soften the membranes, allowing fluids to pass through the optical tissues. When our optical membranes become permeable, nutrients are able to penetrate through the optical tissues and provide nutrients needed for the body to heal itself. MSM softens tough-leathery tissue, equalizes pressure, repairs damaged membranes, clears up red spots and broken blood vessels and may help remove floaters and other eye particles. Cost is $8 per 1 oz bottle.
Essential: TheraTears - has been shown to restore conjunctival goblet cells and corneal glycogen levels in the dry eyes. Contact Advanced Vision Research at 800-979-8327.
Very Important: Carlson's Fine Fish Oil is in liquid form. One bottle contains 6.7 fluid ounces, and 1 teaspoon contains 1600 mg of Omega-3 fatty acids (800 mg of EPA and 500 mg of DHA), plus 14 mg of antioxidants to preserve freshness. Omega-3 fatty acids help improve circulation, integrity of blood vessels, proper brain functioning, flexibility and permeability of cell membranes, and helps protect the retina's photoreceptor cells. Recommended dosage is 2-3 teaspoonfuls per day. Cost is $20 per bottle ($18 on automatic delivery).
Helpful: PaleoGreens Formula is excellent Green formula with a full array of organic vegetables, organic fruits and wheatgrasses. Cost is $42 per bottle ($40 per bottle on automatic delivery)

Helpful: Digestive Care: As we age, we produce less enzymes needed for absorbing essential nutrients from food. Digestive Care by RightFoods?is designed to aid in replacing these lost enzymes, providing a full-spectrum of seven plant-sourced enzymes to support optimal digestion and absorption. This formula also includes intestinal bacteria Lactobacillus acidophilus to promote improved intestinal flora for digestion. Recommended dosage is 1 capsule per day with meals. Each bottle contains 30 capsules. Cost is $13 per bottle ($11 on automatic delivery).
Helpful: ReVision Formula is an herbal tincture from Integral Health Associates that combines Western and Chinese herbs to help improve blood circulation and eliminate stagnation of energy to the eyes. This is done by cleansing and supporting the Liver, which in Chinese medicine is the primary meridian responsible for the health of the eyes. Cost is $20.00 per 2 ounce bottle (each bottle lasts approxametly 1 month). Recommended dosage is 1/2 dropperful 2 times a day for prevention, or 3 times a day for treatment. Best times to take the herbs are when you get up in the morning, and when you go to sleep at night. Best taken on an empty stomach.

Self Help:

Nutrition

The Vision Diet, described in Natural Eye Care, co-authored by Marc Grossman, O.D., lists a number of lifestyle sugestions including the following:

• Make sure to eat lots of green leafy vegetables.
• Avoid sugar and/or artificial sweeteners: Consumption of more than 11 teaspoons of sugar a day has been linked to dry eye syndrome (a single can of soda contains approximately 9 teaspoons of sugar. Sugar is hidden throughout processed and refined foods including cereals, ketchup, and salad dressings.
• Avoid the toxic fats in commercial red meat, dairy products, fried foods and hydrogenated oils (such as margarine and shortening). These fats interfere with the proper metabolism of essential fatty acids in the body and are indirect causes of dry eye syndrome. Eat organic or free range whenever possible.
• Avoid coffee and smoking
• Avoid hydrogenated and transfatty acid containing foods (i.e.: margarine, most chips ... read labels).
• Drink 8-10 glasses of water a day.
• Avoid any foods you may be allergic to. Try cutting out categories of foods for a week at a time, and see how you feel, or visit an allergist for testing. Typical allergenic foods include nightshades (eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, white potatoes and cucumbers), milk, wheat, and corn (or products with corn in it).
• Supplement your diet with a good multivitamin such as One Plus Vitamin Mineral: or PaleoGreens Formula.

Other Recommendations

• Use a humidifier at home and/or at work to keep the air from drying out in the winter.
• Remember to blink, especially while working at the computer.
• Check your medications for any side effects that may cause dry eyes.
• Gently massage upper and lower lids, a couple of times a day to stimulate the tear glands.