Corneal disease have gained many misconceptions over the years. Is it truly hereditary? Let’s find this out. The eye is made up of six main parts: the pupil, iris, lens, retina, optic nerve, and cornea. Many of us have heard the term cornea before, but we don’t really know what it is or what it does. In addition to learning about the cornea, it’s important to understand if you may be at risk for any corneal diseases. We will discuss all of these topics in this blog post.
What is the cornea?
Along with the sclera (white of the eye), the cornea serves as a barrier against dirt, germs, and other particles that can harm the eye’s delicate components. The cornea also filters out some amounts of the sun’s ultraviolet light.
The cornea also plays a key role in vision. As light enters the eye, it’s refracted, or bent, by the outside shape of the cornea. The curvature of this outer layer helps determine how well your eye can focus on objects close up and far away. If the cornea becomes damaged through disease, infection, or injury, the resulting scars or discoloration can interfere with vision by blocking or distorting light as it enters the eye.
The three main layers of the cornea are:
- Epithelium: The most superficial layer of the cornea, the epithelium stops outside matter from entering the eye. This layer also absorbs oxygen and nutrients from tears.
- Stroma: The stroma is the thickest layer of the cornea and is found behind the epithelium. It is made up mostly of water and proteins that give it an elastic but solid form.
- Endothelium: The endothelium is a single layer of cells located between the stroma and the aqueous humor, the clear fluid found in the front of the eye. The endothelium works as a pump, expelling excess water as it is absorbed into the stroma. Without this specialized function, the stroma could become waterlogged and hazy and opaque in appearance, also reducing vision.
What are the symptoms of corneal disease?
With its ability for a quick repair, the cornea usually heals after most injuries or diseases. However, when there is a deep injury to the cornea, the healing process may be prolonged, possibly resulting in a variety of symptoms, including:
- Pain.
- Blurred vision.
- Tears.
- Redness.
- Extreme sensitivity to light.
- Corneal scarring.
If you experience any of these symptoms, immediately make an appointment to see an ophthalmologist (eye doctor). They may find a more serious problem or a condition that requires special treatment.
What conditions causes corneal disease?
Keratitis
This is an inflammation of the cornea that sometimes occurs with infection after bacteria or fungi enter the cornea. These microorganisms can enter the eye after deep injury, causing infection, inflammation, and ulceration of the cornea. Though uncommon, this type of infection can also arise after injury from wearing contact lenses.
Symptoms:
- Severe pain.
- Reduced visual clarity.
- Corneal discharge.
- Light sensitivity.
Treatment usually includes antibiotic or antifungal eye drops.
Ocular herpes (herpes of the eye)
This is a viral infection of the eye that may reoccur (return). The main cause of ocular herpes is the herpes simplex virus I (HSV I). This is the same virus that causes cold sores, but ocular herpes can also result from the sexually transmitted herpes simplex II virus (HSV II) that causes genital herpes.
Symptoms:
Sores on the surface of the cornea
Reduced vision.
There is no cure for ocular herpes, but it can often be controlled with the use of antiviral drugs.
Herpes zoster (shingles)
Shingles is a recurrence (return) of the chickenpox virus in people who have already had the disease. After the bout of chickenpox, this virus usually remains inactive within the nerves of the body. It can later travel down these nerves, infecting specific parts of the body, like the eye.
Symptoms:
Blisters or lesions on the cornea
Fever, and pain.
Corneal lesions usually heal by themselves, however, antiviral treatment may shorten the course of the disease. See your ophthalmologist if you have any symptoms of shingles near or in the eye.
Corneal dystrophies
There are more than 20 corneal dystrophies, diseases that cause structural problems with the cornea. Some of the most common are:
Keratoconus
Keratoconus is a progressive disease in which the cornea thins and changes shape. It changes the curvature of the cornea, creating either mild or severe distortion, called irregular astigmatism and usually nearsightedness. This may also cause swelling and scarring of the cornea and vision loss.
At first, the condition is correctable with glasses or soft contact lenses. But, as the disease progresses, you may need to wear rigid gas permeable contact lenses. Corneal transplantation may also be necessary. During this procedure, the damaged cornea is replaced with a donated cornea. This operation is successful in about nine out of 10 people with advanced keratoconus.
Map-dot-fingerprint dystrophy
Map-dot-fingerprint dystrophy is a corneal condition that causes abnormal folds and reduplications of the epithelium, the outermost layer of the cornea. The effects of these changes are patterns in the cornea that resemble maps, dots, and small fingerprints.
Symptoms:
- Moderate to severe pain.
- Increased sensitivity to light.
- Excessive tearing.
- A feeling that something is in your eye.
Most patients with this condition require no treatment. If erosions are occurring, they may be managed with topical lubricating ointments, special contact lenses, or a minor surgical procedure to debride (remove) the abnormal surface tissue.
Fuch’s dystrophy
Fuch’s dystrophy is a gradual deterioration of the innermost layer of the cornea, the corneal endothelium. This layer acts as a fluid pump to remove excess water from the cornea, maintaining corneal clarity. As these cells weaken over time, the cornea may swell causing blurred vision. In the advanced stages of this condition, haze and small blisters on the corneal surface may appear, causing pain and irritation.
Treatment includes:
- Observation for the early stages of the condition.
- Ointments and eye drop for mildly symptomatic patients.
- Corneal transplant surgery
- Lattice dystrophy.
How to diagnose corneal disease?
Corneal disease can only be diagnosed after a thorough examination by an ophthalmologist.
Can you prevent corneal disease?
The risk of infectious corneal disease caused by bacteria and viruses can be reduced. Protecting the eye from injury and limiting physical contact with people who have conjunctivitis. Avoid sharing eye makeup, contact solution, lens cases, and eye drops with people who have infections. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water for at least 15 seconds after contact with an infected person.
For detailed consultation, you can contact us at Abhinav Multispeciality Hospital. It is one of the most trusted and best hospitals in Nagpur. You can consult Dr. Bhakti Bhatnagar at Abhinav Multispeciality Hospital in Bajeria, Nagpur. Dr. Bhakti Bhatnagar is a popular Ophthalmologist in Bajeria, Nagpur. Also, the hospital has the best medical facility in Nagpur. The doctor has been practicing Ophthalmology for over a decade. Additionally, she is among the best ophthalmologist in Nagpur. The doctor is a qualified Post Graduate Diploma in Ophthalmology, DNB – Ophthalmology, FELLOW OF INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF OPHTHALMOLOGY.