FUCHS DYSTROPHY, SMOKING, AND CARDIOVASCULAR RISKS

By Dr. Kevin -

 A study looked at lifestyle and health factors linked to Fuchs’ endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD), a progressive eye disease with no cure. Researchers compared 50 people with FECD to 50 similar people without it.

They found FECD patients had more heart-related problems like high cholesterol and atrial fibrillation, smoked more (on average 11.2 vs. 6.1 pack-years), ate more calories and sodium, and had higher intakes of certain minerals. This suggests links between heart health, diet, and Fuchs’. Too much sodium and smoking may worsen oxidative stress, harming the eye’s corneal cells.

Doctors might help Fuchs’ patients by encouraging quitting smoking, managing cardiovascular risk, and improving diet, which could potentially slow the disease’s progression.

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