Cornea Disease & Transplant Surgery

Southern New Hampshire

Corneal Disease Treatment

While the cornea is surprisingly resilient, age or injury can lead to the development of corneal disease. We’ll discuss some of those issues and what the solutions are below. Visit Spindel Eye Associates for a full consultation and assessment.
Call Now

What Is the Cornea?

The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped, highly complex tissue of your eye. It doesn’t have any blood vessels, so it pulls its nutrients from the fluid in the eye. The purpose of the cornea is to protect the rest of the eye from danger or disease. It also acts as a magnifying glass, focusing light onto the retina.
woman smiling with mouth open and thin frame glasses on

Common Corneal Conditions

Some of the common conditions we see at Spindel Eye Associates concerning corneas include the following:

    Corneal Abrasion

    Corneal abrasions are scratches that are on just the surface of the eye. Small abrasions only penetrate the epithelium and heal quickly without damage to the rest of the eye or vision. Larger abrasions that cut below the Bowman’s layer usually leave scarring, which does affect vision.

    Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy

    Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy is a condition where the corneal endothelium does not work properly. This dysfunction can cause thickening of the Descemet’s membrane and swelling of the cornea. This leads to a decrease in visual acuity and quality.

    Bullous Keratopathy

    Bullous keratopathy is dysfunction of the corneal endothelium, caused by previous injury or surgery. The cornea swells, which causes a decrease in visual acuity and quality. In severe cases, the cornea can swell so much that it causes blisters on the epithelium, which is painful and increases the risk of infection.

    Keratoconus

    Keratoconus is progressive corneal dystrophy. The cornea begins transforming from the normal dome-like shape to a cone-like shape. The cornea then bulges forward. This causes blurry vision and gets progressively worse.
    woman getting her eyes checked at doctors office

    Signs You May Have a Corneal Disorder

    How do you know if you may have one of these corneal conditions? There are several symptoms that can help you to know when to make an appointment with our eye doctors at Spindel Eye Associates:

    • Redness
    • Blurred vision
    • Light sensitivity
    • Pain
    • Foreign body sensation

    One or two of these things on their own may not be a sign of concern, but when it comes to the eye, it’s always better to get it checked out sooner rather than later. Some of these conditions only get worse with time. At Spindel Eye Associates, we can provide you with a diagnosis and make sure you get the care that you need.

    What Causes Corneal Disorders?

    Many different things can cause corneal disorders. If any of these apply to you, you could be at higher risk:
    • Genetics
    • Eye trauma
    • Infection
    • Chronic inflammation
    • Medication toxicity
    • Dry eye
    • Sun damage
    • Eyelid problems
    • Tumor
    • Contact lens usage
    • Ocular surgery
    • Aging

    Conditions and Procedures

    While corneal conditions can be very serious, there are many procedures that can restore vision and health. The following procedures can help rectify certain conditions.

        Contact Spindel Eye Associates

        If you have a corneal disorder or need a diagnosis, contact us at Spindel Eye Associates. We can perform a comprehensive exam to check for corneal conditions, and our specialists can set you up with a treatment plan. Contact us today!
        We serve Derry, Londonderry, Windham, Raymond, and Bedford

        Spindel Eye Associates has excellent optometrists and ophthalmologists to treat your eyes with the utmost care.

        Call Now