Congenital Hereditary Endothelial Dystrophy
Congenital Hereditary Endothelial Dystrophy (CHED) is a rare genetic eye disorder that primarily affects the cornea, the clear front part of the eye. It is characterized by a malfunction of the endothelial cells, which are responsible for maintaining corneal clarity by regulating fluid balance. This condition often leads to corneal swelling and cloudiness, resulting in vision impairment.
CHED is typically inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, meaning that both parents must carry the gene mutation for a child to be affected. Symptoms usually appear at birth or in early childhood, and treatment may involve surgical options like corneal transplantation to restore vision.