Cornea Care in South Carolina

Cornea Care in South Carolina

Schedule an Appointment
cep-missingassets-corneacare-suppimg
Body Section Back Image

Protect Your Vision with Cornea Care

The cornea is essential for clear vision. It’s the transparent front layer of the eye, covering the iris and pupil. The cornea bends light to control how it enters the eye, affecting how we see. The cornea is also where traditional contact lenses are placed.

Caring for your cornea can help maintain healthy vision and prevent eye problems, such as eye infections and cornea conditions. Keep a closer eye on your cornea with regular eye exams and discuss care options with Carolina Eyecare Physicians.

At Carolina Eyecare Physicians, we can diagnose and corneal treatment for many different conditions. Routine comprehensive eye exams help eye doctors monitor changes to eye health to protect sight and structures, including the cornea.  

Contact us to learn more about corneal disease treatment and eye cornea transplants.

What is the Cornea?

The cornea is the transparent part of the front of the eye. It is the first part of the eye to capture light and is responsible for a large portion of our vision. When the cornea is damaged by injury or disease it can lead to loss of vision or sometimes even blindness. Our corneal & external disease specialists are fellowship-trained in the latest procedures and treatments for corneal disease.

There are many different corneal diseases. Some are caused by bacterial, fungal or viral infections, while some are hereditary or develop over time.

Carolina Eyecare Physicians offers treatment for many corneal and external eye diseases, including:

  • Scleritis (inflammation of the sclera, the white part of the eye)
  • Keratitis (inflammation of the cornea)
  • Corneal ulcers and abrasions
  • Fuchs’ Dystrophy (cloudy morning vision)
  • Keratoconus (deterioration of the cornea, leading to change of shape and loss of vision)

Corneal Diseases

Cornea conditions can be caused by multiple factors, from injuries to lifestyle changes. Therefore, regular eye exams are essential for managing cornea health. 

It’s also recommended to talk with your eye care provider when you experience eye symptoms, such as eye discomfort or vision changes. Read more about common cornea conditions and their symptoms to discover proper corneal treatment.

Scleritis

Scleritis, or inflammation of the sclera, can present as a painful red eye with or without vision loss. There are two type of scleritis:

  • Anterior scleritis, the most common form, is characterized by severe pain and extreme scleral tenderness. The sclera is notably white, avascular and thin.
  • Posterior scleritis is defined as involvement of the sclera posterior to the insertion of the rectus muscles. Posterior scleritis, although rare, can manifest as serious retinal detachment, choroidal folds, or both. There is often a loss of vision as well as pain upon eye movement.

Keratitis is a condition where the cornea—the clear, round dome covering the eye’s iris and pupil—becomes swollen or inflamed, making the eye red and painful and affecting vision. Keratitis is also known as a corneal ulcer.

Some forms of keratitis may involve infection, including bacterial keratitis, viral keratitis, fungal keratitis, and parasitic keratitis.

Contact lens wearers need to remember that infectious keratitis can result from not caring for your contact lenses properly.

A non-infectious form of keratitis may be caused by a simple fingernail scratch or from wearing your contact lenses too long. Whatever form of keratitis you may have, it is crucial that you see an ophthalmologist right away. Waiting to have your keratitis diagnosed and treated can lead to serious complications, including blindness.

Keratitis or corneal ulcer causes can include:

  • Bacterial infection
  • Viral infection
  • Fungal infection (from plant material in the eye)
  • Parasitic infection
  • Improper cleaning and/or care for contact lenses
  • Wearing contact lenses too long
  • Injury (scratch)
  • Vitamin A deficiency (rare)

Keratitis or corneal ulcer treatment depends on the type and severity of this corneal problem. Antibacterial or antifungal eye drops may be used to treat corneal infections. Sometimes steroid eye drops may be necessary to reduce the inflammation (swelling) of keratitis.

If the cornea is severely scarred or thinning has occurred, a corneal transplant may be needed to restore vision.

It is important to remember that keratitis must be treated early to reduce the risk of complications, and it is likely that frequent visits to an ophthalmologist may be needed to fully treat this corneal problem.

A corneal ulcer is an open sore in the surface layer of the eye, typically caused by a corneal infection or cornea swelling (keratitis). Keratitis can be infectious (bacterial, viral, or fungal) or non-infectious (eye injury). Chronic dry eye and unsterilized contact lenses are also risk factors.

In addition to symptoms caused by keratitis, corneal ulcers can also cause:

  • Blurry vision
  • Eye discharge or pus
  • Eye inflammation
  • Eyelid swelling
  • Eye soreness
  • Feeling something stuck in the eye
  • Light sensitivity
  • Watery eyes
  • White spot on the cornea

A corneal ulcer can be treated with antibacterial, antiviral, or antifungal eye medication. By treating the infection, swelling may reduce, allowing the sore to heal. An eye doctor may also prescribe corticosteroid eye drops to help with inflammation.

In severe cases, a corneal transplant may be necessary to remove the damaged tissue.

Dry eye is a common condition affecting tear production or quality. When tears work effectively, they protect, nourish, and lubricate the eye’s surface. When your eyes don’t produce enough tears or lack necessary components, it can result in:

  • Blurry vision
  • Eye redness
  • Gritty or scratchy eyes
  • Light sensitivity
  • Stringy mucus
  • Watery eyes

Untreated chronic dry eye can cause cornea inflammation and damage, leading to impaired vision. Dry eye therapy can help patients find relief and help protect the cornea.

Fuchs’ dystrophy is a disease of the cornea. It is when cells in the corneal layer called the endothelium die off. These cells normally pump fluid from the cornea to keep it clear. When they die, fluid builds up and the cornea gets swollen and puffy. Vision becomes cloudy or hazy.

Fuchs’ dystrophy has two stages. In the early stage (stage 1), you may notice few, if any, problems. In the later stage (stage 2), your blurry or hazy vision will not get better as the day goes on. Here are other symptoms:

  • Sandy or gritty feeling in your eyes
  • Eye pain from the tiny blisters in the cell layer of the cornea
  • Being extra sensitive to bright light
  • Eye problems get worse in humid areas
  • Very blurry or hazy vision from scarring at the center of the cornea

To diagnose these conditions, your ophthalmologist will look closely at your cornea and measure its thickness. This is called pachymetry. They will also check for tiny blisters. Using a special photograph of your cornea, your ophthalmologist may count the cells in your endothelium.

There is no cure for Fuchs’ dystrophy. However, you can control vision problems from corneal swelling. Your treatment depends on how Fuchs’ dystrophy affects your eye’s cells, and may include:

  • Eye Drop medicine or ointment to reduce swelling of the cornea’s cells.
  • Endothelial keratoplasty (EK): Healthy endothelial cells are transplanted into your cornea.
  • Full corneal transplant: The center of your cornea is replaced with a healthy donor cornea.

Your ophthalmologist will discuss what treatments are best for your condition.

Keratoconus is a vision disorder resulting from a cornea that is too thin or irregularly shaped. The “conus” part of the name comes from the cone-like shape that can occur. The abnormal shape prevents the cornea from focusing light correctly.

In the early stages of keratoconus, symptoms may include slightly blurry vision and increased light sensitivity. As the disorder develops, the cornea bulges and symptoms can increase significantly. In some cases, the cornea can swell and crack. Although the crack can heal, it becomes scar tissue which can interfere with cornea function. Swelling can also continue without treatment.

When symptoms appear can depend on the cause and when the disorder began. It can commonly develop in the late teens or early 20s, typically progressing for 10–20 years before slowing. Keratoconus can be inherited, but frequent eye rubbing is also a risk factor.

Contact lenses and contact lenses can help correct mild astigmatism or myopia caused by keratoconus. In later stages of development, rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lenses or surgery may be necessary to preserve vision.

Corneal cross-linking treatment can strengthen or reinforce the cornea. It can slow progression, but cannot reverse corneal bulging or thinning. Another option is a corneal transplant surgery, which replaces the cornea or a portion of the cornea.

Corneal Transplant Surgery

The cornea is the clear, front window of the eye. It helps focus light into the eye so that you can see. The cornea is made of layers of cells, and these layers work together to protect your eye and provide clear vision. 

Your cornea must be clear, smooth and healthy for good vision. If it is scarred, swollen, or damaged, light is not focused properly into the eye. As a result, your vision is blurry or you see glare. If your cornea cannot be healed or repaired, your ophthalmologist may recommend a corneal transplant. This is when the diseased cornea is replaced with a clear, healthy cornea from a human donor.

There are different types of corneal transplants. In some cases, only the front and middle layers of the cornea are replaced. In others, only the inner layer is removed. Sometimes, the entire cornea needs to be replaced.

Full Thickness Cornea Transplant

Your entire cornea may need to be replaced if both the front and inner corneal layers are damaged. This is called penetrating keratoplasty (PK), or full thickness cornea transplant. Your diseased or damaged cornea is removed. Then the clear donor cornea is sewn into place.

PK has a longer recovery period than other types of cornea transplants. Getting complete vision back after PK may take up to 1 year or longer.
With a PK, there is a slightly higher risk than with other types of corneal transplants that the cornea will be rejected. This is when the body’s immune system attacks the new corneal tissue.

Sometimes the front and middle layers of the cornea are damaged. In this case, only those layers are removed. The endothelial layer, or the thin back layer, is kept in place. This transplant is called deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) or partial thickness corneal transplant. DALK is commonly used to treat keratoconus or bulging of the cornea.

Healing time after DALK is shorter than after a full cornea transplant. There is also less risk of having the new cornea rejected.

Endothelial Keratoplasty

When the innermost layer of the cornea (the endothelium) is damaged, an endothelial keratoplasty removes the layer. Then, the layer is replaced with healthy donor tissue. Depending on the position and endothelium thickness, the surgeon may perform a DSEK (DSAEK) or DMEK procedure.

Full recovery after endothelial keratoplasty can take up to 6 months, but patients may resume most normal activities within weeks.

Locations

We have several convenient locations throughout South Carolina. Please view the nearest location to you or get directions below. 

    See Our Google Reviews

    News

    5 Unexpected Benefits of LASIK Treatment You Might Not Know About

    LASIK, LASIK Surgery

    For many, getting LASIK surgery is motivated by the simple desire to ditch their glasses or contact lenses for good. However, what often goes unnoticed are the subtle yet profound benefits of this modern corrective eye procedure. Beyond the obvious allure of improved vision, LASIK vision correction treatment offers advantages that can greatly enhance your […]

    Read More… from 5 Unexpected Benefits of LASIK Treatment You Might Not Know About

    March 26, 2024
    useye

    5 Common Glaucoma Treatment Options You Should Know About

    Glaucoma

    If you’ve recently been diagnosed with glaucoma, you’ve probably asked yourself, “What treatments are available for my condition?” Understandably, a diagnosis of glaucoma—a progressive eye disease that can lead to blindness if untreated—can be a lot to take in. However, patients must recognize that it’s possible to successfully manage glaucoma with early detection and treatment.  […]

    Read More… from 5 Common Glaucoma Treatment Options You Should Know About

    January 23, 2024
    useye

    How Holiday Stress and Eye Health Connect

    Dry Eye

    It’s that time of the year again: when the brisk winter invites us to get cozy, share a warm meal, and cherish valuable time with loved ones. But as holiday festivities kick in, so does the stress of preparing. This strain can affect your eye health in ways you wouldn’t expect. This year, explore these […]

    Read More… from How Holiday Stress and Eye Health Connect

    December 15, 2023
    useye
    Benefits of LASIK Treatment

    For many, getting LASIK surgery is motivated by the simple desire to ditch their glasses or contact lenses for good. However, what often goes unnoticed are the subtle yet profound benefits of this modern corrective eye procedure. Beyond the obvious allure of improved vision, LASIK vision correction treatment offers advantages that can greatly enhance your […]

    Read More… from 5 Unexpected Benefits of LASIK Treatment You Might Not Know About

    Glaucoma Treatment Options

    If you’ve recently been diagnosed with glaucoma, you’ve probably asked yourself, “What treatments are available for my condition?” Understandably, a diagnosis of glaucoma—a progressive eye disease that can lead to blindness if untreated—can be a lot to take in. However, patients must recognize that it’s possible to successfully manage glaucoma with early detection and treatment.  […]

    Read More… from 5 Common Glaucoma Treatment Options You Should Know About

    Dry Eye Therapy for Eye

    It’s that time of the year again: when the brisk winter invites us to get cozy, share a warm meal, and cherish valuable time with loved ones. But as holiday festivities kick in, so does the stress of preparing. This strain can affect your eye health in ways you wouldn’t expect. This year, explore these […]

    Read More… from How Holiday Stress and Eye Health Connect

    Check us out on Instagram

    We are a proud partner of US Eye, a leading group of patient-centric, vertically integrated multi-specialty physician practices providing patients with care in ophthalmology, optometry, dermatology, audiology, and cosmetic facial surgery.

    instagram facebook facebook2 pinterest twitter google-plus google linkedin2 yelp youtube phone location calendar share2 link star-full star star-half chevron-right chevron-left chevron-down chevron-up envelope fax