Association Between Fuchs' Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy Severity and Estrogen Exposure

Association Between Fuchs' Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy Severity and Estrogen Exposure

This study is being done to discover if there is a link between estrogen exposure and the severity of Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Disease. We are trying to understand if the decrease in estrogen levels in post-menopausal women may be a reason why FECD is seen more often in women than men.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Individuals with FECD grade 1-2/7 (mild) or 5-6/7 (severe) in one or both eyes
2. Age ≥ 55
3. Phakic and pseudophakic individuals will be included. Pseudophakic patients must have evidence of routine cataract surgery (posterior chamber intraocular lens in-the-bag without clinical evidence of damage to any intraocular structures).

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Females are excluded if not post-menopause.
2. Pseudophakic patients with a history of complex cataract surgery or other intraocular surgery (e.g. have an anterior chamber lens, sulcus lens, or poorly positioned posterior chamber lens, aphakia, iris damage, glaucoma surgery) will be excluded due to risk of iatrogenic damage to the corneal endothelium.