Is DSEK Effective for Fuchs Dystrophy?
September 13, 2009
When is the time right for DSEK for Fuchs? Corneas are 700 mics bilat; cell count 300 in good eye, not measurable in bad eye. Best corrected vision is 20/50 in bad; 20/40 bilateral. I’m 52 and this came as quite a surprise though I’ve suffered bad vision for years without knowing why. Doc mentioned DSEK as my only option though said I could try the drops and ointment (haven’t worked so far, 4 weeks in). And, how much can I expect my vision to improve after DSEK? I need cataract surg at same time as DSEK for developing cataracts.
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10 Responses to “Is DSEK Effective for Fuchs Dystrophy?”
Would like to know a good specialist who performs DSEK and cataract surgery in the Pennsylvania area.
what is the problem? irritation? if its due to the fuch’s, or dry eye, then there is not much more you can do than what you are doing now. maybe punctal plugs for the dryness? or omega 3 oil supplements?
if you think the restatsis is causing the drip- stop it and see what happens.
I have been diagnosed with Fuch’s Dystrophy for a few years now. I have been getting by with ointments and eye drops, but now I noticed there is more irritation. My doctor prescribed restasis to keep the eyes moist as well as using drops and Muro 128 ointment. However, I don’t know if it’s the restasis that causing it, but I have had a postnasal drip with coughing spasms for almost 6 months. I started restasis last July.
I have a complicating factor being severely hearing impaired. I have been going to a good doctor who did my cataract surgeries with good success, but I think I need another opinion about what to do next. My vision is still fairly good, but I need to be prepared. I live in the tristate area. Thanks.
what? very bizarre. shingles vaccine has no effect on the eye. get the vaccine–shingles is an awful disease, and anything that reduces your risk should be done.
I’m 72 years old and it’s recommended that I get a Shingles Vaccine. I was diagnosed with Fuchs Dystrophy and narrow angle. My general practitioner said that among other side effects, the vaccine may affect my eyesight. Because of Fuchs, is it safe to get the vaccine? Bob
Does anyone know a Dr. in Los Angeles who specializes in Fuchs diagnosis and repair? Please call and or leave a message at 310 390-5382.
My Dad has one eye with a bit of vision left after undergoing a botched cataract, corne replacement and detached retina sequence in his left eye. He can barely see out of the remaining eye (Fuchs Dystrophy with cataracts) and is obviously frightened to undergo any other surgeries. Would Dr. Holland be willing to consult with him via phone (he lives in PA) first to hear his history?
I am 51 years old and have Fuch’s Dystrophy. It is hereditary for me. My mom has this so, I knew it was a possiblity. I was diagnosed almost 10 years ago. In September I had my first Endothelia replacement surgery in my right eye, which was my worst eye. On January 4th I had my left eye done. The world is a new place. I am now seeing 20/25 in both eyes. This has been life changing for me. I don’t know where you are located, but the top person in the world for this is at the Cincinnati Eye Institute in Cincinnati Ohio. His name is Edward Holland and I believe he developed this process. The results has been amazing. I was out of work for one week. My eye site has continued to improve. My brother, who is 62 years old just had the surgery last week, by the same doctor. I had cataracts removed at the same time as the new cells were placed in. The surgery itself is fairly easy. The hard part is the laying flat on your back for almost two days. Let me tell you it is so worth it. I feel as though I have my life back. If you would like to correspond with me, I would be happy to. I realize now, that you don’t have to make this a disability, it can be repaired. The prognosis is that it will be good for 8 to 20 years. Then I can have it again. Dr.Holland hopes to one day be able to inject the cells needed in. He is a wonderful person and a GREAT doctor. People come from all over the world to see him. I would have too, but I was blessed by living near Cincinnati. My brother traveled from Connecticut to see him.
I’m a 56 year old female. I had been having trouble with my vision for some time but not thinking too much about it. My vision would be very cloudy in the morning but as the day progressed my vision improved. I had alot of trouble with bright lights and glare. I also had the colored halos around lights…caused a big probjem with driving. While on vacation with my husband, son, daugher in law and granddaughter in Disney World, I lost most of my vision. We had 95+ temperatures with 100% humidity. I didn’ t have much of a vacation and I didn’t get to see my granddaughters face when she hugged Mickey Mouse. Upon our return I saw my primary care provider who immediately sent me to an opthomologist who confirmed Fuchs Dystrophy. He said the high humidity pushed my pumps over the edge and they stopped working. He started me on the drops and ointment which provided some improvement. He suggested that I have a DSAEK proedure. My husband and I did a great deal of reaearch and found a highly recognized corneal specialist who is a recognized expert in DSAEK procedures. Made an appointment and he confirmed the orginial diagnosis but determined I also had bi-lateral cataracts. I had my first surgery on December 1st 2009. So I am a little over a week from surgery. He did both the cataract and the DSAEK at the same time. I had my third appointment this past Wednesday and my vision has improved from 20-200 prior to surgery to 20-50. He is expecting my vision to improve to 20-30. My eye gets tired and not always in focus but with some time and patience I will have my vision totally restored. In 3-6 months, depending on how fast I heal, I will have the same procedures done on my left eye. The sugery is interesting….I was consciously sedated, so I was awake during the 1 hour and 20 minute procedure. I rmember most of it. The hardest part is having to lay flat for 2 days to ensure the air bubble holds the newly grafted corneal slice in place. But I can say there is no more cloudiness, no more halos, no more haze and I see colors that I almost forgot existed. Good luck…make sure you find a highly qualified physician. I had my surgery done at The Harkness Eye Institiue at Columbia University Medical Center in New York City. My physicians name is Dr. George J. Florakis. He is amazing.
You have pretty bad fuch’s. i would do cataract surgery first- never second (i dont think anybody does cataract and dsaek together, at least not yet) then do the dsaek soon thereafter. the timing ?- totally up to you. its a matter of when you want to see better- now or later, and how much risk you are wiling to assume. if you go to someone who has a lot of experience with dsaek, and everything else about the eye is normal, i wouldnt be surprised if your odds of getting 20/25 vision is in the high 90’s %. dsaek is relatively new- i would probably go to a world-class institution where they have a lot of experience.
