Your cornea is the clear front surface of the eye responsible for nearly 75% of its focusing power. This dome-shaped structure bends incoming light so it can properly focus on the retina, allowing you to see clearly.
Because the cornea plays such a critical role in vision, even small injuries or diseases can cause blurred vision, pain, light sensitivity, and other visual disturbances.
At Eye Associates of South Texas, our experienced eye doctors diagnose and treat a wide range of corneal diseases and conditions, helping patients throughout San Antonio and South Texas protect their vision and maintain long-term eye health.
What Does the Cornea Do?
The cornea performs several critical functions that help maintain clear and comfortable vision:
- Focuses incoming light to create sharp images
- Protects the eye from debris, dust, and bacteria
- Filters harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays
- Works with the lens to refine visual focus
The cornea is composed of five delicate layers, each contributing to its strength, transparency, and smooth surface. Damage to any of these layers can interfere with vision and eye comfort.
Symptoms of Corneal Problems
Recognizing symptoms of corneal disease early can significantly improve treatment outcomes.
Common symptoms include:
- Burning or stinging sensations
- Eye pain or persistent discomfort
- Excessive tearing or watery eyes
- Blurred or cloudy vision
- Extreme light sensitivity
- Foreign body sensation (feels like something is in the eye)
- Redness around the eye
If you notice these symptoms, it may be time to schedule an evaluation with a corneal specialist in San Antonio.
When to Seek Immediate Eye Care
Some corneal conditions require urgent medical attention to prevent permanent vision damage.
Seek immediate care if:
- Symptoms last longer than 24 hours
- Vision becomes suddenly blurry or distorted
- Over-the-counter eye drops do not help
- Symptoms are accompanied by vision loss
- Signs of a corneal infection or corneal ulcer appear
Prompt treatment can help preserve vision and prevent complications.
Who Is at Higher Risk for Corneal Disease?
Certain individuals are more likely to develop corneal problems, including those who:
- Wear contact lenses
- Have chronic dry eye syndrome
- Have had cataract surgery or refractive surgery
- Work in environments with dust, debris, or chemicals
- Have a family history of keratoconus or Fuchs’ dystrophy
Routine eye exams and early symptom evaluation are essential to maintaining healthy vision.
Corneal Conditions We Treat
Our corneal specialists diagnose and treat a comprehensive range of corneal diseases and conditions.
Dry Eye Syndrome
Occurs when the eyes do not produce enough tears or when tear quality is poor.
Corneal Abrasions
Scratches on the corneal surface often caused by trauma, debris, or contact lenses.
Corneal Ulcers
Painful open sores typically caused by bacterial, viral, or fungal infections.
Keratoconus
A progressive disease where the cornea thins and bulges into a cone shape, causing distorted vision.
Fuchs’ Dystrophy
A degenerative condition affecting the cornea’s inner cell layer, leading to swelling and cloudy vision.
Corneal Scarring
Loss of corneal clarity caused by injury, infection, or inflammation.
Corneal Infections
Serious infections that can quickly damage the cornea if untreated.
Pterygium
A non-cancerous growth that can extend onto the cornea and affect vision.
Post-Surgical Corneal Complications
Some patients may develop corneal issues following procedures such as cataract surgery or refractive surgery.
Advanced Corneal Treatment Options
At Eye Associates of South Texas, treatment is tailored to each patient’s condition and severity.
Non-Surgical Corneal Treatments
Many corneal conditions can be treated with conservative therapies, including:
- Prescription eye drops and antibiotic ointments
- Oral medications when appropriate
- Specialty contact lenses designed for corneal irregularities
- Amniotic membrane therapy to promote healing
- Punctal plugs for severe dry eye
- Safe removal of foreign bodies from the cornea
Advanced Corneal Procedures
When more specialized treatment is necessary, our corneal specialists may recommend advanced procedures.
Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking
A minimally invasive treatment that strengthens the cornea and slows the progression of keratoconus, often preventing the need for a corneal transplant.
Pterygium Surgery
Removes abnormal tissue growth from the surface of the eye to restore comfort and protect vision.
Intacs® Corneal Implants
Tiny implants inserted into the cornea to reshape and stabilize the cornea in patients with keratoconus.
Corneal Transplant Surgery
When severe corneal damage or disease significantly affects vision, corneal transplant surgery may be recommended. This procedure replaces damaged corneal tissue with healthy donor tissue to restore vision and eye health.
Modern corneal transplantation techniques are highly advanced and allow surgeons to replace only the damaged layers of the cornea when possible.
Penetrating Keratoplasty (PK)
Penetrating keratoplasty is a full-thickness corneal transplant that replaces the entire cornea with donor tissue. This procedure is typically recommended when multiple layers of the cornea are damaged by conditions such as severe scarring or advanced corneal disease.
DSAEK (Descemet’s Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty)
DSAEK is a partial-thickness corneal transplant that replaces only the damaged endothelial layer of the cornea. Because much of the cornea remains intact, patients often experience faster healing and recovery compared with traditional full-thickness transplants.
DMEK (Descemet’s Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty)
DMEK is the most advanced form of endothelial corneal transplant surgery. This highly precise technique replaces only the diseased inner corneal membrane, allowing for:
- Faster visual recovery
- Lower rejection risk
- Better visual outcomes
DMEK is commonly used to treat conditions such as Fuchs’ dystrophy and other endothelial corneal diseases.
Schedule a Corneal Evaluation in San Antonio
Your cornea plays a crucial role in your ability to see clearly. If you are experiencing eye discomfort, blurred vision, or symptoms of corneal disease, early evaluation and treatment can protect your vision.
The experienced specialists at Eye Associates of South Texas provide comprehensive corneal care using advanced diagnostics and modern treatment techniques.
Call (830) 379-3937 today to schedule your consultation or request an appointment online.
With convenient locations serving San Antonio and South Texas, our team is dedicated to helping you maintain healthy eyes and clear vision.
