Your cornea is the thin outer layer of your eye that protects the eye from foreign debris. The shape of the cornea is also responsible for how well you can see clearly; the shape determines how light entering your eyes will focus in front of, behind or directly on the retina (the back of the eye).

5 Corneal Layers

• Epithelium (outer layer): eye protection and surface area to absorb nutrients and oxygen from tears
• Bowman’s membrane (second layer): transparent collagen layer that can respond to injury by forming a scar
• Stroma (middle layer): thick collagen layer that provides elasticity and strength to form the cornea
• Descemet (inner layer): strong tissue that protects against injury and infection
• Endothelium (innermost layer): pumps excess fluid out of the stroma to keep the cornea clear

Types of Corneal Diseases

Corneal diseases can affect any layer of the cornea and ultimately result in distorted vision. Some of these diseases include:

• Keratoconus: cone-shaped cornea due to corneal thinning
• Pterygium (surfer’s eye): pink growth on the cornea
• Corneal dystrophies: accumulation of abnormal materials on the outer layer
• Keratitis: corneal inflammation
• Herpes of the eye: viral infection
• Shingles: corneal lesions or inflammation

Our doctors offer different treatment options for corneal problems. A comprehensive dilated eye exam will help your doctor diagnose the issue and recommend the right course of action for your unique situation.

Keratoconus

Keratoconus is a condition that affects the cornea (the clear outer layer of your eye). Normally a round dome shape, if the corneal tissue begins to thin, it can begin to bulge out into a cone shape. Because the shape of the cornea becomes distorted, your eyesight also becomes distorted because light will not focus properly on the retina (back of the eye). This makes normal activities such as reading, watching TV, driving or working on a computer very difficult.

Who Gets Keratoconus

Many people are surprised to learn that keratoconus usually affects people who are in their late teenage years or early 20s. This is a condition that affects 1 in 2,000 of the general population. The condition is hereditary in some cases. It may also be caused by an enzyme imbalance in the cornea that causes the corneal tissue to weaken.

Symptoms of Keratoconus

Not all patients will experience keratoconus symptoms right away. In fact, it can progress over a 10-20 year period and result in symptoms such as:

• Vision distortion
• Blurry vision
• Light sensitivity
• Irritation
• Glare
• Ghosting

Keratoconus Treatment in Illinois

Luckily there are a variety of treatment options to help patients with keratoconus see more clearly. Depending on the severity of your condition our doctors may recommend:

• Prescription glasses
• Rigid contact lenses
• Corneal cross-linking (CXL)
• Intacs® corneal implants
• Corneal transplant in severe cases

Pterygium: Surfer’s Eye

Pterygium is a noncancerous growth that looks like a raised white/pink tissue on the white of one or both eyes. It is often called surfer’s eye because it tends to affect people who often work or play outdoors, especially surfers.

While not typically a serious condition, pterygium can continue to grow until it covers the cornea, leading to distortion of the cornea (astigmatism) and blurred vision.

Surfer’s Eye Symptoms

• Blurred vision
• Redness
• Burning
• Itching
• Feeling of something foreign in the eye

Causes of Surfer’s Eye

Pterygium tends to affect people age 20 to 40 and it is more common in men. There is no single cause of pterygium; however, there are certain conditions that may increase your risk:

• Excessive exposure to UV light (being outdoors)
• Exposure to dust, wind, sand and other irritants
• Dry eye
• Not wearing sunglasses or hats outdoors
• Low humidity environments

Surfer’s Eye Treatment in Illinois

Medicated or lubricating eye drops can help ease irritation caused by pterygium. If the lesion begins to threaten your sight or makes you feel self-conscious, pterygium surgery to remove the growth may be recommended. To reduce the risk of recurrence, our doctors may perform an amniotic membrane transplant (AMT) graft where the former pterygium was located.