Diseases of the cornea of the eye can present with a variety of symptoms that may often be overlooked and ignored. This often ends with more severe corneal damage and can impair vision. To be more alert, come on understand what are the symptoms of diseases that can arise in the cornea of the eye.
The cornea of the eye is a clear layer on the outermost side that protects the eye from exposure to bacteria, dirt, and other harmful particles. In addition, this layer also plays a role in filtering UV rays that enter the eye. The location of the cornea is the outermost, so it is susceptible to various disorders.
Various Symptoms of Corneal Disorders of the Eye
Symptoms of disorders of the cornea of the eye usually include:
- redness
- Pain
- Blurred vision
- Tears coming out
- Sensitive to light
If classified as mild, disorders of the cornea generally can go away on its own. However, you are still advised to consult a doctor if you have these symptoms. It is possible that these symptoms are signs of other, more dangerous conditions.
What Diseases Can Affect the Cornea of the Eye?
Here are some diseases that can attack the cornea of the eye, including:
Keratitis
Keratitis is an inflammation of the cornea of the eye that can be caused by an allergic reaction, infection and injury. Red eyes, watering, blurry vision, to excessive sensitivity to light are symptoms that can cause keratitis. Treatment for keratitis also varies, depending on the cause and severity.
For non-infectious keratitis, usually the doctor will give medicines that are useful to relieve the symptoms. Meanwhile, for keratitis caused by infection, the doctor will give medication according to the cause, such as antiviral, antifungal or antibiotic drugs.
Herpes simplex on the eye
Herpes is caused by infection with the herpes simplex virus I (HSV I). This virus can cause inflammation of the cornea of the eye, resulting in impaired vision.
To prevent it from progressing to a more severe condition, your doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication or anti-inflammatory eye drops.
Herpes zoster in the eye
This disease occurs in someone who has had chickenpox. Even after recovering from chickenpox, the herpes zoster virus will remain in the spinal cord. Under certain conditions, this virus can reactivate and spread to the eye, causing injury and inflammation of the cornea of the eye.
Although the sores caused by herpes zoster can go away on their own, antiviral drugs and anti-inflammatory eye drops may be prescribed by a doctor in an effort to overcome them.
In addition to the three diseases above, there are also diseases of degeneration or a decrease in corneal function, such as keratoconus which is characterized by thinning and changes in the shape of the cornea, and corneal dystrophy which causes changes in the structure of the cornea, generally associated with aging. These diseases can cause ongoing disorders of the cornea of the eye.
Preventing Diseases of the Cornea of the Eye
The good news is that this disease of the cornea can be prevented in a few simple ways, such as:
- Tracing a family history of corneal disorders.
- Get vaccinated to prevent infection of the cornea of the eye.
- Keep your eyes and contact lenses clean.
- Eat foods rich in vitamin A and omega 3 fatty acids.
- Wearing sunglasses to prevent the bad effects of sun exposure.
- Wear eye protection when doing activities that can harm the eyes.
- Avoid sleeping with contact lenses still in place.
Keep in mind, diseases that attack the cornea of the eye should not be treated carelessly. If you experience problems with the cornea of the eye, immediately consult an ophthalmologist to get the right treatment.
