Global Prevalence of Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy (FECD) in Adult Population: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Purpose. To evaluate the global prevalence of Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD). Design. Systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods. A systematic electronic literature search was conducted on PubMed/MedLine, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar, in order to select papers analysing the prevalence rate of FECD. Two authors independently conducted the electronic search. After removal of duplicates, title and abstract screening, and full-text analysis, data from selected articles were archived in a customized Excel spreadsheet. Risk of bias assessment was performed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Prevalence Critical Appraisal Tool. Meta-analysis was conducted using R (version 1.4.1106, package “meta”). Results. A total of 6660 eligible articles were retrieved from the initial electronic search. Only 4 original works were included in the qualitative and quantitative analysis. Of the 4746 patients included in this meta-analysis (i.e., 2232 male (M) and 2322 female (F)), we retrieved 269 FECD cases (81 M; 188 F), with a pooled prevalence estimates of 7.33% (95% CI: 4.08–12.8%). Statistically significant gender-related differences in the prevalence of FECD emerged by the analysis (OR: 2.22; 95% CI: 1.66–2.96, p = 0.0016 ). While the total number of people aged >30 years with FECD is nowadays estimated at nearly 300 million, an increase of 41.7% in the number of FECD-affected patients is expected by 2050, when the overall figure is supposed to rise up to 415 million. Conclusion. This study provides a reliable figure of the present and future epidemiological burden of FECD globally, which might be useful for the design of FECD screening, treatment, rehabilitation, and related public health strategies.

Clinical Outcomes of Toric Intraocular Lenses in Patients with Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy

“…The global prevalence of FECD was found to be 7.33% in a recent meta-analysis, with 300 million people with FECD in 2020 and an expected increased number of 415 million by 2050 [13]. The late-onset form of FECD, which is the most common one, is prevalent in the fifth or sixth decade of life and coincides with the time that people develop cataracts [13,14].…”

Lax eyelid condition (LEC) and floppy eyelid syndrome (FES) prevalence in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA) patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…In addition, subgroup analyses, influence analyses, and, finally, a sensitivity analysis were run to ensure the robustness of results. As for every meta-analysis, our study too has some limitations [43][44][45]. Primary studies included in this work were conducted only in an exiguous number of countries, making the reported estimates of LEC and FES prevalence in OSA patients not fully representative.…”

Effect of Covid-19 on Eye Banks and Corneal Transplantations: Current Perspectives

“…An estimated 13 million persons globally await corneal transplantation, and the greatest disparities in access to this sight-restoring procedure exist in low-to-middleincome countries. 25,26 In the context of an already low proportion (~2%) of eligible cornea donors, COVID-19-related restrictions on donor eligibility and contracted tissue procurement might further reduce an already slim donor pool, thus jeopardizing cornea transplant programs in countries relying on tissue imports. 16,19 Being the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in working environments a recognized route, in the early phases of the pandemic Eye Bank Institutions around the globe were forced to rearrange their working strategies.…”

“…45 The idea of smaller and split DMEK grafts derives from the observation of primary endothelial conditions, such as Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy, often affecting the central cornea only in the early disease process. 26 Nonetheless, it is worth considering that the endothelial density is greater in the periphery of a DMEK graft, and as a consequence, a partial DMEK will still contain a sufficient amount of healthy endothelial cells. 46 Thus, a large diameter DMEK graft might not always be essential.…”