Fuchs’ Endothelial Dystrophy

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This module distills Fuchs Endothelial Dystrophy into a tightly focused, practice-ready guide. You’ll review the corneal anatomy and endothelial genetics behind guttae and Descemet-membrane thickening, follow the disease from morning blur to bullous keratopathy, and contrast FED with look-alike disorders. Key diagnostics—slit-lamp retroillumination, specular microscopy, Scheimpflug tomography, and pachymetry—are matched to stage-appropriate therapy, from hypertonic saline or IOP-lowering drops in early disease to DMEK, DSAEK, or combined cataract–EK in advanced cases. The course also highlights prognostic red flags and postoperative pitfalls such as graft detachment.

This module is an Accredited Self-Assessment Activity (Section 3) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and approved by the Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS). You may claim a maximum of 1 HOUR (credits are automatically calculated).

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Learn the various etiologies and understand the pathogenesis of Fuch’s Endothelial Dystrophy.
• Recognize the clinical signs and symptoms of Fuch’s Endothelial Dystrophy and learn the different components considered for accurate disease staging.
• Explain the diagnostic techniques and treatment modalities used for Fuch’s Endothelial Dystrophy.

AUTHORS/AFFILIATIONS

Hala Helmi, M.D. : Ophthalmology resident, Ophthalmology department, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Kenan Bachour, M.D. MSc. : Ophthalmology resident, Ophthalmology department, Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Wissam Nassrallah, M.D., Ph.D : Ophthalmology research fellow, Ophthalmology department, Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Moncef Berkache, M.D : Ophthalmology research fellow, Ophthalmology department, Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Aissam Souidi. : Medical student, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Mona Harissi-Dagher, M.D : Ophthalmologist, Ophthalmology department, Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

DISCLOSURES

Hala Helmi : None

Kenan Bachour : None

Wissam Nassrallah : None

Moncef Berkache : None

Mona Harissi-Dagher : None

TARGET AUDIENCE

Practicing ophthalmologists, ophthalmology residents, medical students.