All About Corneal Disease: Keratoconus, Dry Eyes, and More
A clear tissue which makes up the outer surface of the eyes is called the cornea. All of the light you see passes through the cornea, which bends the light into the eye, focusing it on the retina. If the cornea is diseased, scarred, or incorrectly shaped, it can lead to visual acuity problems, loss of clarity, and even loss of eyesight. Corneal disease like keratoconus, conditions such as dry eye or astigmatism, and other corneal-related issues are often to blame for poor or deteriorating eyesight.
Types of Corneal Diseases and Conditions
Regular eye exams are key to diagnosing, preventing, and treating corneal diseases. Symptoms of corneal disease vary greatly depending on the condition, nature, and severity of the eye problem. If diagnosed early, most eye conditions can be effectively treated by preventing the problem from worsening or curing the condition altogether. The following are a few types of conditions which directly affect the cornea.
Dry Eyes
Dry eyes occur when your tear ducts do not produce enough tears to keep the surface of the eye (cornea) moist. Dry eyes can signify the presence of several different conditions.
Keratoconus
Characterized by a thinning and bulging of the cornea, keratoconus directly affects the ability to see clearly. It can also cause the sufferer pain. This eye disease can become worse if left untreated, but if diagnosed early our eye doctors can treat it effectively.
Additional Corneal Diseases
In addition to dry eyes and keratoconus, two of the most common corneal diseases, other conditions such as Fuchs’ Corneal Dystrophy and Pterygium affect the cornea as well.
Treatment varies greatly depending on the condition present, but often includes surgery, eye drops, or other medications. To find out if corneal treatments are right for you, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with one of our eye doctors.
Contact Spectrum Eye Physicians Today!
Schedule your appointment online or call us at 408-884-2215. No matter which of our locations you visit, you will receive the latest in eye care technology from friendly eye doctors and staff committed to serving you.
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