---
title: "Fuchs endothelial dystrophy | Eye Health Guide"
description: "What Fuchs dystrophy is, why vision is often worse in the morning, and how drops or corneal surgery can restore clarity. Clinically reviewed."
url: https://eyehealthguide.org/conditions/fuchs-dystrophy/
source: Eye Health Guide
licence: "General information only. Cite the URL and the named medical reviewer."
---

Condition

# Fuchs endothelial dystrophy

Medical reviewer [Mr Mohamed Mohyudin](https://eyehealthguide.org/reviewers/mohamed-mohyudin/)· Last recorded site review July 6, 2026

### About this review

This page inherits the site’s previous review record. A separate, current article sign-off has not yet been recorded.

[How review works](https://eyehealthguide.org/reviewers/) · [Official biography & credentials](https://mohamedmohyudin.co.uk/author/mohamed-mohyudin/)

Quick answer

Fuchs endothelial dystrophy is a gradual loss of the cornea's inner pump cells, causing corneal swelling, morning blur, glare and halos. It usually affects both eyes in later life. Salt drops, contact lenses or corneal surgery can restore vision when it affects daily life.

### On this page ⌄

1. Your next step
2. What it is
3. Common symptoms
4. Causes
5. Treatment
6. Related conditions
7. Treatments & Surgery
8. Frequently asked questions

## What it is

The inner lining of the cornea normally pumps fluid out to keep the cornea clear. In Fuchs dystrophy these cells slowly die, fluid builds up overnight, and the cornea becomes cloudy.

## Common symptoms

Symptoms build slowly over years.

- Blurry or hazy vision, often worse on waking
- Glare and halos around lights
- Gradual difficulty with contrast and reading
- Sometimes a rough or swollen corneal surface

## Causes

It is usually inherited and more common in women. It is unrelated to Fuchs heterochromic uveitis. Cataract surgery can temporarily worsen swelling, so planning with a corneal specialist helps.

## Treatment

Early cases may use salty drops or ointment to reduce swelling. Advanced disease is treated with partial-thickness corneal transplant techniques that replace only the inner layer, with good success rates.

## Related conditions

## Treatments & Surgery

## Frequently asked questions

### Why is vision worse in the morning with Fuchs dystrophy?

The cornea swells overnight when the inner pump cells are weak, then may clear somewhat during the day. Morning blur is a classic pattern.

### Is Fuchs dystrophy the same as cataracts?

No. Fuchs dystrophy affects the cornea's inner lining, while cataracts cloud the lens inside the eye. Both can cause glare and blur.

### Can Fuchs dystrophy be cured?

Drops can help early swelling, but advanced cases are often treated successfully with modern partial corneal transplants that replace the diseased inner layer.

Your next step

## Take this to your appointment

Write down what has changed, when it started, your current medicines and the questions you want answered. Take these to your eye-care appointment.

Sudden loss of sight, severe eye pain or a dark curtain across vision needs immediate assessment. Do not wait to complete a worksheet.

## Sources for this information

These references support the information on this page. Follow the linked source for its full context.

- [Fuchs’ Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy - Moorfields Eye Hospital](https://www.moorfields.nhs.uk/eye-conditions/fuchs-dystrophy)