FAQs on Corneal Disease:

What are the Signs of Corneal Disease?

Common corneal symptoms include redness, pain, and cloudiness. In severe cases, the symptom may include high sensitivity to light, headache, nausea, fatigue and visual impairment caused by tearing. Many corneal diseases are curable. However, vision loss and chronic eye pain are possible complications of the corneal disease. It is vital to seek treatment options from our qualified eye specialist to prevent further issues.

What Causes Corneal Disease?

The causes of corneal disease vary widely. The common causes are trauma and infection. It usually happens among children, athletes, and people who work with heavy equipment such as construction workers and mechanics. 

What are the common Corneal Conditions?

There are a variety of corneal condition that our ophthalmologist manages, some of these includes:

• Corneal Dystrophy.This is a condition in which parts of the cornea lose clarity due to a buildup of cloudy material. The problem is most often genetically inherited.
• Keratoconus.This is a deformity of the corneal curve that causes nearsightedness and astigmatism. The origin is unknown but in some cases, it appears to be genetic. About 1 out of 10 people with keratoconus have a parent who has it too.
• Fuchs’ Dystrophy.This is causes swelling of the cornea, characterized by a formation or blisters in the cornea. A prominent sign is blurry morning vision that increases as the problem gets worse.
• Corneal Trauma. An injury can cause a defect in the corneal surface. injury.
• Corneal Scar. A damaged cornea is caused by permanent tearing. In the most severe cases, this may require a transplant.
• Corneal Infection and Viruses. If you wear contact lenses, you have a higher risk of keratitis, an infection of the cornea. Your cornea can be infected with viruses, bacteria, fungi, and a rare but serious eye parasite can cause keratitis.

What are the Treatments for Corneal Diseases?

Keratitis or corneal inflammation is the most common acquired corneal disease which can be treated with specialized eye drops. Other treatments for corneal disorders include medication, corrective glasses, corneal transplantation, and corneal laser surgery. 

If you have been experiencing vision changes and would like to be evaluated by our expert ophthalmologists at Allegheny Ophthalmology, please call our Natrona Heights office or book an appointment using the easy online booking tool today.