Symptoms
If you have a corneal disease you may experience the following signs and symptoms:
- Eye pain
- A feeling of scratchiness
- Cloudiness in the cornea
- Photophobia, a sensitivity to light
- Blurred vision or a reduction in vision
- Inflammation or redness in the eye
- Headaches, nausea, or general fatigue
It should be noted that the cornea can also be affected by injuries. Some of these injuries can cause symptoms similar to those of corneal diseases. This is not something that can be self-diagnosed. If you experience any of the above symptoms please see an eye specialist as soon as possible.
Causes
The causes of corneal diseases are varied, as too are the individual diseases or disorders themselves. Thus, there are no common causes.
However, some of the risk factors associated with corneal diseases are hereditary, that is, a genetic condition passed down by your parents may be the cause. Trauma and infections can also be a precursor to corneal diseases.
Secondary causes include:
- Other eye diseases that may affect the cornea
- Autoimmune diseases
- Growths
- Tumors
The most common corneal diseases
There are several different types of corneal disease. The most commonly seen are:
Keratitis
An inflammation that affects the cornea. The inflammation occurs as a result of an infection, a fungus, or some bacteria entering the cornea.
Ocular herpes
This is herpes of the eye and it is most often caused by the herpes simplex virus, the same virus that causes cold sores. This condition is identified by sores appearing on the cornea. There is no cure for the herpes virus, but the condition can be controlled with anti-viral medication.
Shingles (herpes zoster)
Shingles is a condition whereby the Chicken Pox virus reappears in people who have already had Chicken Pox, this mostly happens in later life. Like ocular herpes, shingles can cause sores on the cornea and the condition is controlled with anti-viral treatments.
Keratoconus
A condition in which the cornea undergoes a distortion of the curvature and thins. This condition may also cause a loss of vision and/or near-sightedness.
Corneal dystrophies
Corneal dystrophies are a grouping of diseases that cause problems in the corneal structure.
Do not delay – see your doctor!
If you suspect that you may have one of the corneal diseases, don’t delay treatment. Please make an appointment or walk in to see us here at the New Jersey Eye Center in Bergenfield, NJ, as soon as possible.
Most types of corneal diseases can be swiftly rectified with proper and prompt diagnosis and treatment!
