Purpose: Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FEDC) is by far the most common corneal endothelial diseases in Western countries, and 50% of keratoplasties are carried out to treat endothelial diseases. New treatments are also emerging (Descemetorhexis only, rock‐inhibitors, mTor‐inhibitors, FGF‐1). It will therefore soon be vital to be able to determine the stage of each patient in a simple and reliable way, in order to personalize treatment. Visual acuity, retroillumination, specular microscopy and thickness mapping are the 4 pillars of the examination. However, current retro‐illumination images are of insufficient quality. Aim: to present the first series of FECD observed using new‐generation retroillumination.Methods: We developed a prototype retroilluminator by modifying a slit lamp with the aim of obtaining high‐resolution images, without parasitic reflection and without dazzling the patient. We then prospectively photographed 200 FECD patients. The images were then classified by 3 independent observers according to the modified Krachmer classification, which is the most widely used in the literature: it distinguishes patients according to the number of Guttae, the size of the area of confluent Guttae and the presence of oedema.Results: The prototype produced clear, glare‐free images in over 95% of cases. Persistent reflections were observed exclusively in pseudophakic patients. The high resolution made it possible to observe all the Guttae and to challenge Krachmer's grade 2 classification (more than 12 non‐confluent drops), which included a major diversity of patients, some of whom had thousands of non‐confluent Guttae. We also highlighted for the first time to our knowledge 2 new elements: the high frequency of radial alignment of Guttae, often over 360°, and the presence of Guttae in the periphery of the endothelium, suggesting that a cell migration anomaly is involved.Conclusions: Innovative retroillumination images challenge Krachmer's classification by providing exceptional precision. They will make it easier to distinguish between sub‐groups of patients with different visual repercussions and evolutionary profiles. Easy to use, this new device should help to improve both our understanding of FECD and its routine management.
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