What are the Most Common Cornea Conditions

The cornea plays a critical role in your vision. If you develop an eye disease or condition that affects the cornea, it can also adversely impact your vision. Some corneal conditions can even lead to vision loss.

Certain cornea conditions are less common than others. Keep reading below for more information on what the cornea does and common conditions that may affect it. 

What does the cornea do? 

The cornea allows light to enter your eye and focus on the retina.

The cornea contains three main layers, including:

• Epithelium: This layer acts like a barrier and protects the cornea from bacteria, debris, and dust. 
• Stroma: The stroma is made of collagen and other material. It gives the cornea its shape and strength. 
• Endothelium: The endothelium allows for the right balance of fluids in the cornea. 

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The cornea needs to remain clear for vision to be sharp. When corneal diseases develop, they can interfere with proper vision. 
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Risk factors for corneal disease

According to the Cleveland Clinic, certain factors may increase your risk of developing corneal diseases. Risk factors include the following:  

• Having a connective tissue disease
• Undergoing eye surgery 
• Having a weakened immune system 
• Wearing contact lenses for longer than recommended or not cleaning them correctly 

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Types of cornea conditions

There are various cornea conditions, some of which are more common than others. According to the National Eye Institute, some of the more common cornea conditions include the following: 

Keratitis: Keratitis involves inflammation of the cornea. According to the Mayo Clinic, it can occur due to a virus, bacteria, parasite, or fungal infection. It can also develop from an injury, such as wearing contact lenses longer than recommended. 
Symptoms may include 

• Eye redness
• Excessive tearing 
• Eye pain 
• Blurred vision 
• Sensitivity to light 

Treatment often includes eye drops to treat the type of infection. 

Injuries: Injuries to the cornea are also common. Cornea injuries can vary in severity from mild to those that threaten vision. Small scratches on the cornea usually are not too serious. They can occur due to particles getting into the eye. Deeper scratches can become more serious and even lead to vision problems. 

Symptoms may include: 

• Feeling like something is in the eye
• Eye pain 
• Blurred vision 
• Watery eyes 
• Swollen eyelid

Treatment may include an antibiotic ointment and possibly an eye patch while the abrasion heals. 

Corneal dystrophies: Corneal dystrophies involve changes in the cornea. For instance, the cornea may become thinner, or certain parts of the cornea may stop working. These changes may cause material to build up, which leads to cloudy vision. 

Corneal dystrophies usually run in families and often are progressive. There are a few different types of corneal dystrophies. Symptoms may vary and include: 

• Blurred vision 
• Sensitivity to light 
• Double vision 
• Nearsightedness 
• Eye discomfort 

Treatment may depend on the exact type of dystrophy present. In general, treatment may include eye drops or ointments to reduce discomfort. Treatment options may also include special eye patches to prevent the eyelid from rubbing against the cornea. In some types of cornea dystrophy, certain types of contact lenses help change the shape of the cornea. 

Do not hesitate to seek professional medical help when your vision is at stake. Getting a proper diagnosis is a vital step in treating corneal conditions, which is why a comprehensive eye exam is so important.
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We hope the above information was helpful. If you would like to ask whether an appointment with one of our eye doctors would be appropriate at this time, call our office at 508-746-8600. Thanks for reading!