La cornea It is the transparent tissue of the ocular structure that protects the iris and crystalline, and which also makes it possible for light from outside to enter the eye to be projected onto the retina. The cornea has a cellular layer called the epithelium, and when this layer detaches from its neighboring layer or is altered, corneal erosion occurs, a very painful condition that causes blurred vision.
Corneal erosion can be corrected through ocular medications, but an ophthalmological follow-up must be done until it is verified that the epithelium has completely healed. In Área Oftalmológica Avanzada We explain what corneal erosion is and what its main causes are.
What is corneal erosion?
The cornea is one of the most important tissues of the ocular structure, as it allows light from outside to enter the eye so that images can be formed on the retina. The cornea is made up of many layers, the most superficial of which is known as the corneal epithelium.
La corneal erosion It is an alteration that occurs when the corneal epithelium is disconnected from the cornea layer below it or suffers any type of alteration, such as scratching with a nail or being hit with a branch. This causes a very annoying pain Since the cornea is made up largely of nerve cells. Such is the number of nerve endings that reach the cornea that there are more nerve receptors in the cornea than in the skin.
Corneal erosion is a small defect that often heals on its own, and sometimes requires medical treatment y ophthalmological supervision. Fortunately, corneal erosion rarely leads to a major complication.
Symptom
The most characteristic symptom of corneal erosion is severe eye pain, which can start suddenly, usually on waking. We can also find other symptoms of corneal erosion:
- Dry eyes when sleeping.
- The eyelid sticks to the cornea.
- Excessive tearing.
- Redness ocular.
- Irritation ocular.
- Sensitivity to light.
Main causes of corneal erosions
Anyone can experience corneal erosion. However, there are risk factors that make a person more likely to suffer from this disorder. Let's know what they are:
- Have them dry eyes or suffer syndrome of severe dry eye.
- To have suffered from corneal abrasion or a eye injury.
- History of corneal disease, such as the corneal dystrophy.
- Have made a misuse of contact lenses.
Another of the most common causes of corneal erosion is eye trauma caused by the edge of a sheet of paper or the edge of a scratch with a baby's fingernail. Although it is not usual, it can also happen that corneal erosion manifests itself without an apparent cause.
Treatment of corneal erosion
Sometimes corneal erosion is so slight that heals on its ownwithout the need for treatment. When this is not the case, the treatment of corneal erosion can include some of these options:
- Wearing an eye patch with corneal erosion to prevent flashing and improve the abrasion that occurs.
- Use of moisturizing drops or ointments that offer relief from eye pain and Dry Eye.
- Use of antibiotic drops to prevent infection.
- Use of contact lenses special to reduce the friction of the eyelid with the cornea and the pain that this produces in order to speed up recovery.
When corneal erosion becomes a recurrent pathology, the ophthalmologist may evaluate the need for eye surgery to remove the corneal tissue with a laser. You can also carry out a anterior stromal puncture, a procedure that consists of making small holes in the surface of the cornea so that the scar tissue joins the epithelium with the lower layer.
En Área Oftalmológica Avanzada we are experts in the treatment of corneal erosions. If you present any symptoms, contact us as soon as possible and schedule a visit with us.
