What do you need to know?
- The cornea is the outer layer of the eye that protects against debris and is responsible for focusing light.
- Symptoms of corneal problems include sensitivity to light, redness, a sandy feeling, tearing and blurred vision.
- Typical conditions include dry eye, corneal cone, ulcers, infections and dystrophies, all of which require appropriate treatment.
- An ophthalmologist should be consulted if there is pain, tearing, blurred vision and other worrying symptoms.
The cornea is the outermost layer of the eye, whose role is a protective barrier against pollutants and other irritants.
The cornea refracts (bends) the light that enters the eye, making it a key structure in helping the eye to focus on objects up close or far away.
Answer the following questions. If you answer yes to any of them, it is a sign and a good time to make an appointment for a consultation at our ophthalmology centre.
- Do you experience sensitivity to light?
- Are your eyes red or do you have a feeling of „sand” in your eyes?
- Do your eyes tear more often than usual?
- Is your field of vision blurred?
What are the typical corneal conditions we treat?
Some corneal conditions that require treatment are dry eye, keratoconus, pterygium, viral infections, trauma, recurrent corneal erosions and corneal dystrophies such as endothelial corneal dystrophy Fuchs and basement membrane epithelial disease.
What are the typical indications that a corneal disorder may be present?
The cornea usually heals on its own after most minor injuries or infections. However, symptoms such as pain, tearing, blurred vision, extreme sensitivity to light, burning, foreign body sensation and redness may occur during the healing process.
Symptoms of corneal infection or disease are most commonly:
Corneal abrasions - A feeling akin to having a foreign body stuck in the eye. The eye then becomes red, painful, watery, to which a blurred or hazy vision along with light sensitivity.
Corneal ulcers – charakterystycznymi objawami są: czerwone oczy; ból oka; uczucie ciała obcego w oku; łzawienie, ropa lub inne wydzieliny; rozmazany obraz; wrażliwość na światło; opuchnięte powieki, biała wydzielina na rogówce.
Dry eye disease – Zespół suchego oka występuje, gdy nie ma wystarczającej ilości łez, aby utrzymać warstwę wilgoci na zewnętrznej części rogówki. Może to być wynikiem dysfunkcji gruczołu lub niedomykania się powieki. Nieleczona suchość może spowodować uszkodzenie oczu.
Irritation or infection from contact lenses - When contact lenses are not worn or cared for properly, the risk of corneal damage or infection increases.
Corneal cone – to postępująca choroba, która osłabia centralną część rogówki. Może to spowodować deformację w kształcie stożka. Wczesna diagnoza i leczenie są niezbędne do zapobiegania progresji choroby. Nieleczony stożek rogówki może powodować niewyraźne widzenie, podwójne widzenie, myopia, astygmatyzm i wrażliwość na światło. Fuchs endothelial dystrophy - Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy affects the endothelial layer of the cornea. Symptoms include glare, blurred vision, pain or roughness caused by small blisters on the corneal surface. If left untreated, it can lead to bullous keratopathy, a secondary condition in which the cornea becomes permanently swollen.
