Corneal Problems

The cornea is the transparent window covering the front part of the eye. It focuses light on the retina for clear vision. It is so clear that you may not even realize it is there.

Injuries

The normal cornea is clear and provides clear vision. Abrasion, infection, dryness, burns, or chemicals can damage the cornea. An epithelial defect is superficial damage to the outer cell layer of the cornea.After minor injuries or scratches, the cornea usually heals on its own. Deeper injuries can cause corneal scarring, resulting in a haze on the cornea that impairs vision. A deep corneal ulcer is more severe damage to stromal cells as new vessels may form.

Any damage, injury, or concern about your cornea should be brought to your eye care provider’s attention immediately. Any changes to your vision should also be brought to your eye care provider’s attention immediately.

Keratoconus

The normal cornea has a precisely defined curvature for focusing light onto the retina. Keratoconus is a condition where the cornea becomes thinner than normal, weaker, and conical in shape so that the vision is no longer clear and sharp.

Keratoconus is a very serious eye condition requiring special monitoring by your eye care provider. A special, larger scleral contact lens may be used to restore clearer vision in cases of keratoconus. It is specially fitted to include a notable fluid reservoir between the cornea and the contacts. This bridges the larger difference in Keratoconus corneal curvature compared to the normal corneal curvature.Rarely C3R surgery might be needed.

Allergies

The most common allergies that affect the eye are those related to pollen, particularly when the weather is warm and dry. Symptoms in the eye include redness, itching, tearing, burning, stinging, and watery and or ropy discharge.

Keratitis

Keratitis is an inflammation of the cornea. Non-infectious keratitis can be caused by a minor injury, or from wearing contact lenses too long. Infection is the most common cause of keratitis. Infectious keratitis can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites. Often, these infections are also related to contact lens wear, especially improper cleaning of contact lenses or overuse of old contact lenses. Minor corneal infections are usually treated with antibacterial eye drops. If the problem is severe, it may require more intensive antibiotic or anti fungal treatment to eliminate the infection, as well as steroid eye drops to reduce inflammation.

Corneal Opacity

Corneal opacity is a disorder of the cornea when the cornea becomes scarred. This stops light from passing through the cornea to the retina and may cause the cornea to appear white or clouded over.

Causes

Common causes include Infection, injury, corneal abrasion or scratch or swelling of the eye.

Risk Factors

Factors that may increase your chance of corneal opacity are:

• Vitamin A deficiency
• Measles — when measles result in scarring/infection of the eye
• Foreign bodies striking into the eyes
• ye injury, whether from a force, or from a chemical agent
• Herpes simplex virus — which can be transmitted to the eyes
• Other infections, including conjunctivitis
• Wearing contact lenses for a long period of time, especially overnight, can increase the risk of eye
• Infections and also the chance of developing corneal opacity.
• Keratoconus
• Stevens-Johnson syndrome
• Congenital corneal abnormalities
• You might feel:
• Vision decrease or loss
• Pain or a feeling like there is something in your eye
• Eye redness, excessive tearing, or light sensitivity

Area on the eye that appears cloudy, milky or is not completely transparent

Treatment

It depends on the most likely cause and severity of the scarring:

• Eye drops containing antibiotics, steroids or both
• Oral medications
• Phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK), laser surgery
• Cornea transplant

Prevention

To reduce the chance of corneal opacity:

• Take care of your eyes to injury. Wear eye protection during any potentially dangerous activity.
• Take proper care of contact lenses.
• See your doctor right away if you think you have an eye infection, if you injured your eye or if you develop any pain or change in vision.