La cornea is a transparent membrane in the shape of a bulging circle that is in front of the iris and allows light to pass through retina. There are a number of conditions that can cause damaged cornea. Some are very common and harmless, while others are rare and very severe.
A healthy cornea with optimal curvature is essential for the visual system works correctly. For this reason, the main signs that indicate damage to the cornea are blurred vision and sensitivity to light.
En Área Oftalmológica Avanzada We explain the main causes of damaged cornea.
Causes of damaged cornea
First, let's talk about the importance of the cornea in the ocular structure. This part of the eye is much more than a membrane, being a multi-layered fabric and each of them essential for the functioning of the visual system.
The cornea protects the iris and crystalline. This layer acts as the first lens to meet light when it enters the eye. For light to enter correctly and project onto the retina, the cornea must be transparent and have a specific curvature that allows it to exercise its refractive function.
Defects in the curvature of the cornea, tissue opacity, injuries, eye trauma, corneal ulcers and infections can affect how the cornea works and compromise the correct vision of the patient.
What Causes Damaged Cornea? Let's know the main causes of corneal damage below:
Corneal abrasion
Scratches or scrapes on the cornea are one of the most common injuries that can affect this tissue. Abrasions can lead to red eyes, excessive tearing and sensitivity to light. This occurs due to an alteration or loss of cells in the corneal epithelium, the outermost layer of the cornea.
There are various ways of suffering a corneal abrasion, one of the most traumatic can be sticking an object in the eye. Splashes of chemicals such as detergents or cleaning products, dust or sand can also cause scratches on the cornea, especially if the person rubs their eyes vigorously.
Another reason for corneal abrasion is due to ocular dryness. Patients with this disease may suffer ocular dehydration while sleeping. This can cause Eyelids adhere to the cornea during rest. If so, when you open your eyes, your eyelids may shed a small portion of the corneal epithelium. This shortening creates a very painful abrasion.
All the contact lenses in poor condition or that have been used for longer than recommended can cause scratches and superficial injuries to the cornea.
Laceration
A laceration is a cut that occurs in the cornea and it is almost always caused by a pointed or sharp object or by an object that hits the eye. Hence the importance of wearing protective glasses when performing risky activities, such as carpentry work.
Corneal laceration is deeper than abrasion and can cause total or partial cutting of the tissue. If the cut is deep and goes through the entire cornea, it can break the entire eyeball. It is very painful and is considered an ophthalmic emergency.
In cases of corneal laceration, it is important not to try to remove any object that has been embedded in the eye, do not rub or wash it and do not consume aspirin, ibuprofen or steroidsas these drugs thin the blood.
Other causes
The following conditions can also be causes of damaged cornea:
- Injury caused by chemical substances that can cause a superficial burn in the epithelium of the cornea.
- Excessive or inappropriate use of contact lenses or contact lenses.
- External agents that can get into the eye, like dust or sand.
- Exposure without protection in the rays of the sun.
- Infections caused by fungi, bacteria and viruses.
- Very dry environmentsEither because of the climate, the heating or the air conditioning.
Symptom
Corneal damage is more common than we think. For this reason, notice the typical symptoms of corneal damage they may be familiar to you:
- Blurry vision.
- Mild pain in the eye
- Itching in the eye
- Sensitivity to light.
- Sensation of having a foreign body inside the eye.
- Eye spasms.
- Excessive tearing.
Treatment of damaged cornea
Treatment of damaged cornea it depends exclusively on how severe the injury is. Some abrasions are so subtle that the discomfort lingers for a few minutes and then disappears.
In the case of a corneal laceration, it is important to thoroughly examine the ocular structure and determine how deep the wound is and how the tissue layers are located. If the injury is very serious it will be necessary perform surgical treatment.
Some treatment options for the damaged cornea are:
- Ophthalmic drops as eye drops, artificial tears, antibiotics or anti-inflammatories to treat minor injuries.
- Placing a patch on affected eye to protect the cornea from light and other external agents.
- In more serious cases where the cornea has been severely damaged, you can opt for a cornea transplant. If so, tissue from a donor eye is used to transplant part or all of the cornea.
How to prevent a corneal injury?
To prevent injuries to the cornea, it is important to take into account the following recommendations:
- Wear protective goggles when doing activities or high-risk sports.
- The use of protective glasses is mandatory, for example, when using machines that cut wood or aluminum. These materials release particles that can impact the eyes.
- Use glasses that deflect ultraviolet rays to protect the eyes from the sun.
- Use the contact lenses as directed by the doctor and respect its validity period.
- Regularly attend the ophthalmologist if you suffer from dry eye syndrome.
En Área Oftalmológica Avanzada we are experts in the treatment of damaged cornea and we have the latest technology to perform corneal transplantation. Contact us if you need a diagnosis or estimate. We work for you!
