Learn About the Various Types of Corneal Disease That May Be Diagnosed
Thursday, August 15th, 2019, 6:06 am
The cornea is one of many parts of the eye that is used to help us see clearly. This part of the eye is where light passes in. It is responsible for providing the ability to focus. However, when problems such as corneal disease occur, it can greatly impact the health of the eye and the clarity of one’s vision. At Marion Eye Center and Optical, our professionals encourage patients to seek treatment when changes occur, such as clouding and distortion.
What types of corneal disease can be diagnosed?
While there are many varieties of corneal disease, the three most common are:
- Keratoconus – patients with keratoconus have a protrusion or steepening of the cornea that can make it difficult to wear contact lenses due to the irregularity of the cornea. Patients with this condition may notice their vision becoming blurrier. The weakening and thinning of the central cornea can cause rapid or gradual changes that can impact one or both eyes.
- Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy – this condition is an inherited condition that causes an abnormality int eh endothelium, which is the inner cell layer of the cornea. The condition causes swelling of the cornea which decreases vision acuity and can result in a cloudy field of vision.
- Bullous keratopathy – permanently swollen cornea can result from this condition due to damage of the endothelium. This condition can cause patients to first notice blurring or glare, but then notice foggier vision in the morning which clears up throughout the day. As the condition progresses further, patients will notice their vision staying blurrier later into the day and eventually never clear on its own.
How are these conditions diagnosed?
An eye doctor at Marion Eye Center and Optical can provide a thorough and comprehensive eye examination during which the health of the cornea will be evaluated. This may be done with corneal topography or a slit lamp. Experienced providers can catch signs of corneal disease early enough to provide effective treatment before it progresses into the later stages and becomes a more serious problem.
Request an appointment at Marion Eye Center and Optical today!
Call one of our 36 conveniently located practices across the areas of Illinois and Missouri to discuss corneal disease and seek an evaluation to determine if this condition is impacting your eye health.
Category: Corneal Disease
