Everything You Need to Know About Corneal Disorders
Corneal disorders are a major concern for ophthalmologists. Our optometry team at West Texas Eye Associates in Lubbock and Midland, TX, provides all kinds of eye care services to help you and your family.
Corneal disorders can be caused by an injury or infection of the cornea, or by a genetic disorder such as keratoconus. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the more common types of corneal disorders and their symptoms so that you can better understand how ophthalmologists diagnose them.
Types of Corneal Disorders
There are several types of corneal disorders. The most common are corneal dystrophies, keratitis, and dry eye.
Corneal Dystrophies
Corneal dystrophy is a disorder that affects the cornea's proteins and collagen. This can lead to vision problems, as well as a thickening of the cornea. Some common symptoms of corneal dystrophy include:
- blurred vision
- halos around lights
- a decrease in visual acuity
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to see an ophthalmologist for diagnosis and treatment.
Keratitis
Keratitis is an infection or inflammation of the cornea. It can be caused by a virus, bacteria, or fungus, and it can also be a complication of contact lens use. Symptoms of keratitis include eye pain, redness, discharge, sensitivity to light, and blurred vision.
Treatment usually involves antibiotics or antifungal medication to clear the infection. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to repair the damage to the cornea.
Dry Eye
A dry eye is a condition that is caused by a lack of tears. This can lead to eye irritation, blurred vision, and a feeling of grit or sand in the eyes. Some common symptoms of dry eye include:
- a burning sensation in the eyes
- tired eyes
- sensitivity to light
- watery eyes
- itchy eyes
It is important to see an ophthalmologist for diagnosis and treatment if you have any of these symptoms. Treatment usually involves using artificial tears or other medications to increase tear production. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to correct the underlying problem causing the dry eye.
Treatment for Corneal Disorders
Corneal disorders can cause a wide range of symptoms that can be difficult to diagnose. That's why it's important to see your ophthalmologist if you have any concerns about your vision or eye health. Ophthalmologists are specially trained to treat all kinds of eye diseases and disorders, so they can help get you feeling better fast.
Our eye care services include eye exams and more to diagnose and treat your corneal disorder.
Optometry Eye Exams
Make an appointment right away with West Texas Eye Associates to get treated for your corneal disorder. You can make an appointment with our Lubbock or Midland offices by calling 806-792-5900.