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The cornea is a very small structure in the eye, but it holds the key to clear vision. In fact, the cornea is the most sensitive area of the human body.

When born, the normal cornea is perfectly clear. As we go through life, different processes such as trauma, inflammation, infection and neoplasms - abnormal growths of tissue - can damage the cornea. Once a cornea is damaged, it will not heal clear again and scarring will occur. This scarring prevents light from entering the eye and causes loss of vision. Cornea specialists treat diseases that damage the cornea and preserve useful vision. Fortunately, if damaged, the cornea can often be replaced by corneal transplantation, a surgery to replace the clear surface on the front of the eye. The University of Florida Eye Institute provides complete medical and surgical corneal care.

Common Cornea Problems

• Corneal abrasion is an injury to the eye that scrapes the corneal surface and causes a loss of superficial tissue

• Keratoconus occurs when the cornea undergoes progressive thinning and bulging.

• Pterygium is a growth on the conjunctiva, a thin membrane that covers the surface of the inner eyelid and the white part of the eyeball. The growth of pterygiums corresponds with wind and sunlight exposure and is more common near tropic and desert areas.

• Corneal opacity is scarring of the cornea that prevents light from clearly reaching the retina.

• Fuchs’ Dystrophy is a relatively common condition caused by dysfunction of the corneal endothelial cells (a thin layer of cells lining the back part of the cornea). Although there is a hereditary component, there are also environmental influences such as increased prevalence in the elderly and in females. It manifests as clouding and swelling of the retina. Patients notice decreased vision and eventually ocular discomfort.

• Corneal infections can be fungal, viral, bacterial or parasitic. Untreated, infections can lead to devastating ulceration and perforation of the cornea.

• Dry eyes result from a lack of tears, causing a burning or irritated feeling. The cause may be due to systemic changes that affect the eyes’ ability to maintain adequate moisture.

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