Corneal Conditions

Corneal Abrasion

What is a Corneal Abrasion?

A Corneal Abrasion is a scratch on the surface of the cornea.

What are the symptoms of a Corneal Abrasion?

• Feeling like something is stuck in the eye
• Watery, red, painful eyes
• Blurry vision or hazy vision
• Light Sensitivity

How is a Corneal Abrasion treated?

An ophthalmologist will treat the Corneal Abrasion based on the severity. Most likely they will prescribe a moisturizing eye drop or an antibiotic eye drop to prevent infection.

Corneal Ulcer (Keratitis)

What is a Corneal Ulcer (Keratitis)?

A Corneal Ulcer is an open sore on the cornea.

What are the symptoms of a Corneal Ulcer (Keratitis)?

• Eye redness
• Severe pain and soreness of the eye
• Feeling like something is stuck in the eye
• Excessive tearing
• Discharge or other pus
• Blurry vision
• Light sensitivity
• Swelling of the eyelids

You are more at risk for a Corneal Ulcer (Keratitis) if:

• You wear contact lenses
• You have/had cold sores, chicken pox, or shingles
• You use steroid eye drops
• You have dry eyes
• You have an eyelid disorder that prevents the eyelid from functioning properly
• You have injured or burned your cornea

What are different causes of a Corneal Ulcer (Keratitis)?

• Bacterial infections are common for contact lens wearers, especially those using extended wear lenses.
• Viral infections such as the virus that causes cold sores may cause frequent attacks that are triggered by stress, a poor immune system, or exposure to sunlight.
• Fungal infections that develop from improper use of contact lenses or steroid eye drops.
• Parasitic infections that are commonly found in amoebae in fresh water and soil.
• Abrasions or burns to the cornea.
• Dry eye syndrome.

How is a Corneal Ulcer (Keratitis) treated?

Generally, antibiotic, antifungal, or antiviral eye drops are the treatment most ophthalmologists will use to treat a Corneal Ulcer. In some cases, they may prescribe you an antifungal tablet, or they may treat you with an injection of medication near the eye. If a Corneal Ulcer cannot be healed with medication, a corneal transplant may be needed to keep your vision. To learn more about a Corneal Transplant, please click here.

Fuchs’ Dystrophy

What is Fuchs’ Dystrophy?

Fuchs’ Dystrophy is a corneal disease where cells in the endothelium gradually die off. These are the cells that would normally pump fluid out to keep the cornea clear. When the cells in the endothelium die off, the fluid builds up and the cornea begins to swell and becomes puffy causing vision to become cloudy or hazy.

What are the 2 stages of Fuchs’ Dystrophy?

In the first stage, few, if any, symptoms will be noticed. Vision will generally be hazy when you wake up in the morning, but can get better throughout the day.

In the second stage, vision will remain blurry throughout the day. The second stage occurs when too much fluid builds up while you are sleeping and not enough of the fluid dries up throughout the day. During the second stage, tiny blisters may also form in the cornea, which can eventually break open if they get big enough, causing pain in the eye.

What are the symptoms of Fuchs’ Dystrophy?

Stage 1 Symptoms:

• Blurry or hazy vision in the morning that may improve throughout the day

Stage 2 Symptoms:

• Gritty or sand-like feeling in the eyes
• Pain in the eyes from blisters that can form in the cell layer of the cornea
• Light sensitivity
• Eye problems increasing when in a humid area
• Blurry or hazy vision throughout the entire day

How is Fuchs’ Dystrophy treated?

Currently, there is no cure for Fuchs’ Dystrophy, however, there are treatments to help control your vision problems. An ophthalmologist will potentially prescribe you an eye drop medicine or ointment to help reduce the swelling of the cells in the cornea. If the disease is severe enough, a full corneal transplant may be considered. To learn more about a Corneal Transplant, please click here.

Keratoconus

What is Keratoconus?

Keratoconus is when the cornea begins to thin and bulges out like a cone. When the corneal changes shape, it brings light rays coming into the eye out of focus, causing blurry and distorted vision.

What causes Keratoconus?

There is not a known reason for why people develop Keratoconus, but it is believed to possibly be genetic. Keratoconus has also been associated with excessive eye rubbing and eye allergies.

What are the symptoms of Keratoconus?

• Blurry vision
• Distorted vision
• Light sensitivity
• Redness or swelling of the eye
• Increased nearsightedness or astigmatism
• Inability to wear contact lenses as they may no longer fit properly or can be uncomfortable

How is Keratoconus treated?

Treatment of Keratoconus depends on the severity of the symptoms. In the mild stages of Keratoconus, vision may be corrected with glasses. In severe stages of Keratoconus, a corneal transplant may be the only solution to correct vision. To learn more about a Corneal Transplant, please click here.

Pinguecula and Pterygium

What is Pinguecula?

A Pinguecula is a growth that is a deposit of protein, fat, or calcium that looks like a yellow spot or a bump on the conjunctiva.

What is Pterygium?

A Pterygium is a growth of fleshy tissue that can start as a Pinguecula. It can remain small or it can grow large enough to cover part of the cornea, affecting your vision.

What are the symptoms of Pinguecula and Pterygium?

• While the pterygium grows, there can be swelling and redness of the conjunctiva
• A yellow bump or spot on the sclera (white of the eye)
• Gritty, dry, itchy, or burning eyes
• Blurry vision

How are Pinguecula and Pterygium treated?

An ophthalmologist will most likely prescribe lubrication or steroid eye drops to treat a Pinguecula or Pterygium. If a Pterygium grows large enough, then an ophthalmologist may suggest surgery to remove it.

Salzmann’s Degeneration

What is Salzmann’s Degeneration?

Salzmann’s Degeneration is when small, white bumps form on the surface of the cornea. In mild cases, the bumps are small and do no usually cause symptoms, but if the bumps grow larger or closer to the center of the cornea, there may be some discomfort or a decrease in vision.

How is Salzmann’s Degeneration treated?

Treatment for Salzmann’s Degeneration will depend on the severity of your symptoms. If you have a mild case, then generally, no treatment is needed other than regular eye exams with your ophthalmologist to monitor your condition. If your case is more severe, your ophthalmologist may suggest surgery to scrape the bumps off the surface of the cornea.

If you believe that you have any of these corneal conditions, please call our office at (864) 583-5312 to schedule an appointment.