dystrophy
Inherited Tissue Degeneration
Plain-language definition
A genetically inherited condition causing progressive tissue deterioration. Corneal dystrophies cause deposits or clouding; retinal dystrophies cause photoreceptor loss.
Where this term comes up
“Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy (also called Fuchs' dystrophy) is a progressive condition in which the endothelial cells lining the inner surface of the cornea gradually deteriorate.”
Condition · Fuchs' Endothelial Dystrophy
“Diagnoses retinal dystrophies”
Test · ERG (Electroretinogram)
“For Fuchs endothelial dystrophy and similar endothelial problems, these procedures have largely replaced full-thickness transplant because recovery is faster, vision is often sharper, and rejection risk is lower.”
Treatment · Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK / DSAEK)
- Category
- Condition, finding, or disease process
- Also written as
- dystrophies
Pathology terms describe diseases, tissue changes, exam findings, or complications that can affect vision or eye comfort.
Related glossary terms
- cornea
Clear Front Window
- OCT
Optical Coherence Tomography
- macula
Central Retina
- endothelium
Inner Cell Lining
- thinning
Tissue Loss
- epithelium
Surface Cell Layer
A note on medical context
A glossary definition can explain a word, but it cannot tell you whether a symptom or test result is serious. If this term came from an article, use the full article and your clinician's guidance for context.