Cornea
What is the cornea?
Corneal tissue is the clear, outermost section of the eye that covers the iris and pupil. In addition to protecting the eyes from foreign debris and ultraviolet light, it is responsible for allowing light to enter the eye so it can properly focus on the retina for clear vision. When the cornea becomes damaged due to disease, genetics or injury, light entering the eye becomes distorted and vision becomes impacted.
Corneal transplants
If your vision has become seriously impaired, a corneal transplant may be necessary to restore clear vision. During this procedure part of the cornea is removed and replaced with healthy donor tissue. Certain conditions can create corneal situations that are suitable for a corneal transplant including:
- Keratoconus: thinning of the cornea that creates a bulging, cone-like condition
- Fuchs’ dystrophy: corneal swelling that leads to cloudy vision and glare
- Scratched cornea or corneal scarring from injuries or infections
If you are experiencing vision problems, contact us today to schedule an eye exam. Our doctors will assess your condition and make recommendations for vision improvement, which may require a referral to a corneal surgeon.
