Home Eye Care Services Cornea

What Is the Cornea?

Our corneal specialists and surgeons are capable of treating a variety of conditions and one of the most common conditions we see involves the cornea. Cornea conditions are serious, and it is important for everyone to understand the impact this might have on their life.

The cornea is a small but important part of the eye. It sits at the front of the eye and controls the ability of the eye to focus. As a result, damage to the cornea can lead to major impacts on someone’s vision. As a result, corneal weakening can make it hard for someone to see. While corneal conditions come in many shapes and forms, some of the conditions might require surgery. That is where our corneal specialists can help.

What Is the Cornea?

Our corneal specialists and surgeons are capable of treating a variety of conditions and one of the most common conditions we see involves the cornea. Cornea conditions are serious, and it is important for everyone to understand the impact this might have on their life.

The cornea is a small but important part of the eye. It sits at the front of the eye and controls the ability of the eye to focus. As a result, damage to the cornea can lead to major impacts on someone’s vision. As a result, corneal weakening can make it hard for someone to see. While corneal conditions come in many shapes and forms, some of the conditions might require surgery. That is where our corneal specialists can help.

Cornea Conditions

  • Scratched Cornea: Caused by distress or damage to the cornea of the eye, this may lead to feeling like there is a foreign object in the eye, a burning sensation, or even double vision and blurring. Treatment could include pain relief and generally requires the eye to be bandaged tightly for a period of time-based on the size of the scratch.
  • Corneal Diseases: These range from degenerative conditions to small infections. These can be quite serious or become so, and because the cornea is such an integral part of vision, it is important to seek fast treatment if you suspect you have a corneal disease.
  • Keratoconus: Often referred to as “KC,” keratoconus is a non-inflammatory eye condition in which the typically round dome-shaped cornea progressively thins and weakens, causing the development of a cone-like bulge and optical irregularity of the cornea. This causes “static” in your vision and can result in significant visual impairment.

Could My Corneal Issue be Keratoconus?

As mentioned above, keratoconus is a common corneal condition that appears gradually over time. This commonly shows up in the late teens or early 20s. Over time, the cornea starts to thin. Then, it begins to protrude in an unusual shape. This makes it hard for light to enter the eye properly and can make it hard to see.

Some of the most common complications of corneal damage include frequent prescription changes, problems driving at night, seeing halos, eye pain, eye irritation, and headaches. Our keratoconus treatment doctors are able to diagnose this condition by measuring the curvature of the eye. Eventually, keratoconus might require surgery.

Does My Corneal Condition Require Surgery?

Depending on the conditions that impact the cornea, surgery might be needed. If this is the case, our team is going to be with you every step of the way, making sure that you have plenty of guidance as you try to find the decision that is right for you, and supporting in a referral to a corneal specialist if necessary.

If you are looking to learn more about cornea conditions and surgical procedures, make an appointment with a member of our team. We will work with you to find the right surgical procedure and help deliver the care you need. If you would like to learn more, call us today to make an appointment with the best eye doctors in Arizona.