Common corneal diseases:

• Keratitis: Inflammation of your cornea that can either be infectious (microbial) or noninfectious. Infectious keratitis is called a corneal ulcer. Bacteria cause most instances of infectious keratitis. Other times, viruses, fungi and parasites may cause the issue. Many things cause noninfectious keratitis, including eye injuries and a range of conditions that dry out the surface of your eye.
• Corneal ectasia: A group of conditions that change the shape of your cornea, causing it to thin and bulge outward. Keratoconus is the most common condition within this group. Corneal ectasia sometimes occurs as a complication of certain surgeries, including LASIK eye surgery and corneal transplant. Corneal ectasia may not cause symptoms at first but then gradually affect your vision. It may lead to serious complications like corneal hydrops./li>
• Corneal dystrophy: A group of genetic disorders that involves abnormal deposits of proteins, fluid or other materials in one or more layers of your cornea. Some corneal dystrophies are progressive, meaning they get worse over time. Some forms also affect your vision. Fuchs dystrophy is the most common type of corneal dystrophy. Other types include epithelial basement membrane dystrophy (formerly called map-dot-fingerprint dystrophy), lattice corneal dystrophy and granular corneal dystrophy.
• Pterygium: Extra growth of conjunctiva on the cornea or the white portion of the eye. It can cause scarring

How is it diagnosed?

Eye care specialists diagnose corneal diseases through a comprehensive eye exam. They’ll perform many standard tests, including a slit lamp exam, to check the health of your cornea and other parts of your eye.

Your provider may also perform a fluorescein eye stain test. This involves putting a small amount of harmless dye into your eye and then shining a light on your eye. The dye makes any scratches or damage to your cornea visible to your provider.

Your provider will tell you if they notice any problems and discuss next steps, including referrals for treatment.

Management and Treatment

How are corneal diseases treated?

Treatment options vary widely based on your condition and can include:

• Eye drops, ointments or other medications.
• Prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses.
• Laser procedures, such as phototherapeutic keratectomy (which removes tissue from your cornea to modify its shape).
• Corneal transplant surgery.
• Surgery to replace your cornea with an artificial one (keratoprosthesis).

Your eye care specialist will explain which treatment options are appropriate for you, and they’ll tailor a treatment plan to fit your needs.