Cornea
What is the Cornea?
The cornea is the clear area that lets light in through to the eyes. When you look at the color of someone’s eyes, you’re actually seeing the iris (the colored part of the eye) through the cornea.
The cornea is comprised of 5 layers, with each layer performing a specific function. If there are problems with any of the layers, whether a new issue or one that has been present since birth, it can cause a person to experience a range of vision issues from blurry vision to blindness.
The type and severity of cornea problems depends on where and when the problem started as well as the cause of the problem. Where and when the problem started will determine what part of the cornea is affected and what type of symptoms the patient can experience. Medical conditions can also cause corneal issues like Vitamin A deficiency, High cholesterol, Lead poisoning, etc. Simply put, many different factors can affect the cornea, and ultimately your vision.
If you’re having any of these symptoms, such as dryness, irritation, redness, inflammation, swelling, or pain, call to make an appointment with a specialist in our office today to get the attention and care you need.
Common Corneal Conditions
Just like your primary care doctor checks your weight, heart rate, and blood pressure every year during your annual physical, so too are the measurements your primary eye care doctor will make at every visit important. These measurements are to determine if you are having any issues with your vision or eyes that need to be addressed. The main five measurements your eye doctor will check are vision, eye pressure (pressure of the fluid inside the eyes), movement of the eyes, pupils, and your field of vision in all directions. Your ophthalmologist or eye care specialist may also check your color vision, optic nerve, macular integrity, and the drainage system inside your eye, as well as do a dilated exam the optic nerve and retina.
A scratch to the cornea. Treatment for a scratched cornea may include eye drops and/or topical antibiotics. If left untreated a corneal abrasion can cause infection and a corneal ulcer, which can threaten your vision.
This occurs when the patient either wears their contact lenses for too long a period or wears them during sleep. This can lead to a Corneal Infection. Symptoms include redness, soreness, blurry vision, irritated eyes and/or vision loss.
Perimetry is a specialized test designed to map the field of vision. During the examination, patients focus their gaze straight ahead into a white, bowl-shaped area. They are then prompted to indicate when they can perceive lights as they are introduced into their field of vision. This mapping process enables the doctor to detect any patterns of visual changes that may indicate the early stages of glaucoma.
Gonioscopy is a diagnostic procedure used to evaluate the angle where the iris meets the cornea, which helps determine whether it is open or closed. This assessment is valuable in identifying the presence of open-angle or narrow-angle glaucoma. Open-angle glaucoma accounts for approximately 90 percent of glaucoma cases. To effectively manage glaucoma, doctors employ three primary treatment options: medications, laser surgery, or filtration surgery. The primary goal is to lower intraocular pressure and sustain it at a healthy level to preserve vision.
In addition to this list, there are many conditions related to the Cornea that cause patients to see a Cornea specialist. Some of these conditions can threaten your vision and require immediate attention
Cornea Testing
There are many issues involving the cornea that can result in having to see a cornea specialist. Once at the doctor’s office, there are a number of diagnostic tests that need to be performed, in addition to the comprehensive ocular exam done in our clinics. These additional, more advanced diagnostic tests may include optic coherence tomography (OCT), ultrasound bio-microscopy, corneal pachymetry, corneal topography, and specular microscopy. This is not a complete list of all tests available, so be aware that the doctor may order additional testing, according to each patient’s needs.
At Vision Specialists of California, it is our duty to fully evaluate and treat your eyes according to the guidelines set forth by the American Academy of Ophthalmology. We treat you with the time and respect you deserve as not just another patient, but as a valued member of our community.