Living with Fuchs’ dystrophy

Fuchs’ dystrophy – also known as Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy – is an eye disease that affects a layer of cells in the cornea. The disease usually progresses slowly, so many people won’t experience symptoms, such as blurred or cloudy vision and sensitivity to light, until many years after their diagnosis. 

Fuchs’ dystrophy usually affects adults in their 50s and 60s, particularly women, and it’s usually present in both eyes. You can find more information about the causes, symptoms, and treatment of Fuchs’ dystrophy on the Moorfields website.

Living independently with Fuchs’ dystrophy

Many people have Fuchs' dystrophy without experiencing vision problems or other symptoms such as eye pain. However, when the disease progresses, the symptoms can interfere with day-to-day life.

If your symptoms worsen – for example, if you get persistent blurry vision or pain – you may need more support with daily life, at least until treatment improves your eyesight. There are many simple and practical ways to make the most of your vision, for example:

• Simple visual aids like magnifiers can help you to better see details.
• Using independent living skills to manage day-to-day life at home.
• Using practical equipment and skills for personal care.
• Introduce more contrast to your home environment, so finding items is a lot easier.

Your ophthalmologist may be able to refer you for a low vision assessment (LVA) to explore the kind of aids that will help you. Local social services can also support you in keeping safe at home and getting around safely.

At Guide Dogs, we have a wide range of services, both with and without guide dogs, and a team of experts who can work with you to understand your needs and agree on a plan that’s right for you.

The ways we could help you:

• Habilitation or rehabilitation of important life skills
• Our guide dog service
• Our Vision Rehabilitation Specialists can make recommendations best suited to you and your needs
• Tips and advice to help you make the most of your remaining vision
• Resources and support on how technology can improve your independence

Working with Fuchs’ dystrophy

People with Fuchs' dystrophy can live for many years without symptoms. If you begin having symptoms, your employer can help you. For example, they should give you time off for appointments and make reasonable adjustments that support you to continue working. Talk to your employer about changes that may help, such as:

• Lighting and desk changes to control glare and contrast.
• Visual aids such as magnifiers to help with reading.
• Large print materials and products for you to use.

Driving with Fuchs’ dystrophy

You must report any eye condition that affects both eyes to the DVLA. If your eyesight still meets the eyesight rules for driving, you may be able to carry on driving. Always speak to your optician or ophthalmologist for advice first.

Support for people living with Fuchs’ dystrophy

It's normal to worry when you're diagnosed with an eye condition. There are ways to cope with mild symptoms, and at a later stage, if necessary, corneal transplant surgery is an option.

Managing life with the symptoms of Fuchs' dystrophy can be difficult at times, but there is support to help you make the most of daily life  . For example: 

• At Guide Dogs, we have a range of services to help you live independently and well with a vision impairment. Enquire today to find out how we can support you.
• Your ophthalmologist can lend medical support, whether it’s helping you with medication or talking to you about your treatment options.
• Some local services provide practical help and support for people living with a vision impairment.
• Community-based organisations that bring people with vision impairment together – like The Partially Sighted Society – can provide support by connecting you with other people who are experiencing something similar. 

Edited and reviewed by Susie Baker, Principal Vision Rehabilitation Specialist on 21 May 2025

Guide Dogs is committed to working alongside people with a range of vision impairments, who are registered as either sight-impaired or severely sight-impaired.

Our staff undergo comprehensive training in supporting individuals with vision impairment, to enable us to support you every step of the way through one of our many services, with and without dogs. We foster knowledge of living with vision impairment and create content in collaboration with our Vision Rehabilitation Specialists and Habilitation Specialists.

This content is periodically reviewed as we continue to embrace new knowledge and up-to-date information, in order to improve how we deliver our services and advice.

Please note: Whilst Guide Dogs may be able to suggest various third-party websites which may be able to assist you, those are not endorsed by Guide Dogs. Guide Dogs have no control over those third parties and cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of information and support they can provide or the suitability and quality of any products or services they provide.