We’re taking extra steps to ensure your eyecare needs are safely met during the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here to learn more.

Replacing Your Cornea

Thursday, March 15th, 2018, 2:56 am

Corneal Transplant Marion, ILAs spring arrives, so does allergy season. One common method that people use to combat itching, watering, irritated eyes is rubbing. Although it may give some short-term relief, you could scratch your cornea and expose your eye to infections and even reduced vision. Treatment for corneal injuries may involve antibiotic drops, but in the most severe cases, a corneal transplant is the best option.

The Anatomy of Your Eye

The cornea is a clear outer membrane that allows light to enter the eye. The light is filtered by the iris which opens and closes based on the brightness of the light. This is why your pupil, the black center of your eye, gets larger when there is little light and smaller when you are in bright light. Behind the iris is the lens that further focuses the light and allows it to pass through to the retina. The retina converts the light into electrical signals that are interpreted by the optical nerve and brain. Because the cornea is the first filter in your eye, any clouding or injuries will have a significant effect on your vision. The cornea also protects the eye, so you are more vulnerable to infections and damage to the inner parts of the eye.

Treating Corneal Injuries

The cornea can be damaged by burns, foreign objects, ultraviolet light and improper contact lens use. Some of the symptoms that develop due to corneal injuries are swelling, watering, pain, blurry vision, redness and sensitivity to light. Treatment for mild to moderate corneal injuries may include:

  • Antibiotic eyedrops
  • Wearing an eye patch
  • Avoiding contact lenses

With proper care, most corneal injuries heal within a short period.

Corneal Abnormalities

When injuries or eye conditions change the shape of the cornea or cause it to become cloudy, a corneal transplant is the best treatment option. The procedure involves removing the damaged cornea and replacing it with a donor cornea. In most cases, only the center of the cornea needs to be replaced. This preserves eyesight while shorten the downtime and recovery.

Learn More About Corneal Transplants. Contact Marion Eye Center& Optical.

To learn more about corneal transplants, pediatric eye care, LASIK vision correction and our other services, contact Marion Eye Center & Optical to schedule an appointment. You can contact us directly at (800) 344-758 to schedule an appointment at one of our Illinois locations in Anna, Benton, Carbondale, Carlyle, Carmi, Carterville, Centralia, Chester, Christopher, DuQuoin, Effingham, Eldorado, Fairfield, Flora, Harrisburg, Herrin, Marion, McLeansboro, Mt. Vernon, Murphysboro, Nashville, Olney, Pinckneyville, Salem, Sparta, Steeleville, Vandalia, Vienna and West Frankfort. To schedule an appointment at our offices in Missouri, including Cape Girardeau, Charleston, Dexter, Poplar Bluff and Sikeston, contact us at (877) 269-4545.

back to top


Category: Corneal Transplant


Leave a Reply




Quick Contact

Quick Links

Services

Location & Hours

Connect with Us