Cornea

Damage to your cornea can significantly reduce your vision quality and lead to long-term eye problems. At Atlantic Eye Consultants, the experienced ophthalmologists specialize in diagnosing and treating cornea conditions like dry eye and keratoconus in adults and children. The offices in Melbourne, Merritt Island, Titusville, Rockledge, and Palm Bay, Florida, feature the latest diagnostic technologies and treatments to protect the health of your cornea and optimize your vision. Call the Atlantic Eye Consultants office nearest you today to schedule a cornea evaluation, or book a consultation online.

Which common conditions affect the cornea?

The cornea, the eye's transparent outer layer, focuses light to provide clear vision.

Corneas are susceptible to injuries, including superficial and deeper scratches (abrasions) affecting other eye parts. Other conditions that affect the health and function of the cornea include:

Dry eye

Dry eye develops when your body makes low-quality or insufficient tears to keep the eyes moist and hydrated. This condition can lead to chronic eye irritation and blurred vision.

Keratitis

Keratitis is corneal inflammation resulting from injuries or infections from wearing contact lenses.

Allergies

Environmental allergens can irritate the cornea and cause itching, redness, and watering in one or both eyes. Eye allergies can be seasonal or chronic and damage the cornea due to excessive eye rubbing.

Corneal dystrophies

Corneal dystrophies occur when matter builds up on the cornea, causing cloudy or distorted vision.

These cornea conditions tend to get worse without treatment and run in families. A common type of corneal dystrophy is keratoconus, which causes thinning in the middle and lower parts of the cornea.

When should I seek medical attention for cornea problems?

Schedule a diagnostic evaluation at Atlantic Eye Consultants if you or your child has corneal damage or disease symptoms. These symptoms include:

• Eye pain
• Blurry vision
• Red or bloodshot eyes
• Gritty feeling in the eye
• Increased sensitivity to light
• Pus discharge from the eyes

You should also schedule a consultation if you notice that your vision is getting worse, even with prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses.

The team provides comprehensive eye exams to evaluate your cornea and the overall health of your eye. They could use special eye drops to make scratches or other corneal damage more visible.

How are cornea conditions treated?

Atlantic Eye Consultants offers personalized treatment plans to address the underlying causes of your symptoms and preserve your eye health.

The team could recommend:

• Prescription eye drops
• Oral medication
• Laser procedures
• Eyeglass or contact lens prescription changes

In severe cases of corneal damage, surgery to replace the natural cornea with an artificial one might be necessary.

Call the Atlantic Eye Consultants office nearest you today to schedule a cornea evaluation. You can also book an appointment online.