The cornea is the transparent, dome-like structure at the front of your eye. It has many essential duties and is partially responsible for focusing the light that enters your eye so that it is able to land directly on the retina.
For you to have clear and crisp vision, the cornea must maintain a smooth surface, stay transparent, and have a proper curvature. There are many different conditions that can affect the cornea.
With such vital functions, it’s important to ensure that your cornea is healthy and protected. At Atlantic Eye Institute, our cornea specialists have the training and experience necessary to diagnose and treat a wide range of corneal conditions and disorders.
Keratoconus is a progressive eye condition that causes the normally round cornea to thin and begin to bulge into a cone-like shape. This causes distortion, which affects the way light enters the eye and leads to blurry and distorted vision.
Keratoconus typically begins in the teenage years or early 20s and can progress for a decade or two before stabilizing. In advanced stages, it can cause significant blurry vision, making everyday tasks like driving or reading challenging.
Some common symptoms of keratoconus are:
While eye doctors don’t yet know the exact cause of keratoconus, genetics, eye rubbing, and certain systemic disorders may contribute to its development. Eye doctors can diagnose keratoconus during an eye exam, sometimes along with topography to map the cornea’s surface.
Treatment options for keratoconus will often depend on the severity of the condition and symptoms. In early stages, eye doctors may recommend glasses or contact lenses to help improve vision.
Advanced cases might require procedures like corneal cross-linking to strengthen the cornea, or in severe cases, corneal transplant. If you have keratoconus, regular monitoring by your eye doctor is crucial for managing the condition and preserving vision.
Corneal cross-linking is an FDA-approved procedure that can slow or halt progressive keratoconus. During the procedure, your Atlantic Eye Institute eye doctor will combine the use of ultraviolet (UV) light and riboflavin (vitamin B2) eye drops.
It works by increasing collagen crosslinks, which are the natural bonds within the cornea. These bonds are responsible for preventing the cornea from bulging out and becoming steep and irregular.
Corneal cross-linking treatment aims to halt the progression of keratoconus, and which also can help prevent further deterioration in vision and the need for a corneal transplant. You will still need to wear glasses or contact lenses after the cross-linking treatment, although a change in the prescription may be needed.
There are many different eye conditions that can affect the cornea. Here are some of the most common corneal conditions:
Corneal ulcers are sores that are open on the cornea. These spots are often caused by infections, severe dry eye, or physical injury.
They can cause pain, redness, tearing, and vision changes and may lead to scarring if left untreated. It’s important to see your eye doctor right away if you experience any of these symptoms, as corneal ulcers can potentially result in vision loss if not treated.
Corneal abrasions are scratches on the surface of the cornea. This can sometimes be caused by foreign objects like dust or small debris. Symptoms include pain, redness, tearing, and a gritty sensation in the eye. Treatment typically involves removing the foreign body (if present) and may include antibiotic eye drops to prevent infection.
Corneal dystrophies are a group of rare genetic eye disorders that cause abnormal material buildup in the cornea. They can affect different layers of the cornea and may progress slowly over time, but can also impact your vision.
Some types of corneal dystrophies do not require treatment, other types may require treatments ranging from eye drops to a corneal transplant in severe cases.
Corneal scarring can happen after the cornea heals from an injury or infection. This can cause your cornea to turn opaque, which can significantly affect your vision. Treatment options depend on the severity of the scarring but sometimes include specialized contact lenses or, in advanced cases, a corneal transplant.
Pterygium is a benign growth of tissue that can extend onto the cornea from the side of the eye. These growths are often shaped like a wedge. Experts believe frequent UV exposure may be a cause, such as being outside in the sun frequently.
Sometimes, people don’t even know they have a pterygium. However, large pterygium can cause irritation and redness and potentially affect vision if it grows over the pupil.
Treatment may include eye drops for mild cases or surgical removal for more severe cases.
Keratitis is an inflammation of the cornea, which is typically caused by infection, injury, or wearing contact lenses too long. If you have keratitis, you may experience pain, redness, tearing, and vision changes.
Treatment is essential to prevent complications, but the method will depend on the underlying cause.
There are many methods available to treat corneal conditions, which depend on the specific disorder and its severity. While there are many potential treatments available, here are some of the most common procedures performed by corneal specialists to address a range of corneal issues:
Pterygium excision is a procedure to remove a pterygium growth from the eye’s surface. During the procedure, a corneal surgeon will carefully remove the pterygium and, in some cases, use a graft to help prevent recurrence.
EDTA scrub is a technique used to remove calcium deposits from the cornea. It involves applying a chemical solution containing EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) to dissolve these deposits. This procedure can help improve vision and reduce any discomfort caused by calcium buildup.
PTK is a laser procedure used to treat corneal surface irregularities and opacities. During this treatment, eye doctors use an excimer laser to remove thin layers of the cornea, smoothing the surface and improving transparency. PTK can be a good option to treat certain corneal dystrophies and scars.
CIN (Conjunctival Intraepithelial Neoplasia) excision is a surgical procedure that can remove abnormal growths from the eye’s surface. It’s typically used to treat precancerous or cancerous growths.
Conjunctivochalasis repair is a procedure that aims to treat extra or loose conjunctival tissue, which is the clear, thin membrane that covers the white part of the eye. This excess tissue can cause eye irritation and tearing.
The procedure involves removing the excess tissue and tightening the remaining conjunctiva, which can reduce comfort and other symptoms associated with the condition.
Amniotic membrane transplant is a technique that can help the cornea and eye’s surface heal from various conditions. The membrane, which comes from the human placenta, can help reduce inflammation and increase tissue regrowth, when placed on the cornea.
