Cornea

Donald Downer, M.D., Cornea Surgeon

Clay Eye Physicians & Surgeons is dedicated to providing each patient with quality care, professionalism, and personalized care to help you with all of your cornea needs. Please visit our Cornea Center pages for more information:

Corneal Transplantation (DSEK / PKP)
Contact Lens Infections
Keratoconus
Dry Eye Syndrome

Corneal Conditions 

Corneal conditions include a variety of conditions that affect mainly the cornea. These include infections, degenerations, and disorders that may arise mostly as a result of heredity.

What is the Cornea?

The cornea is the clear, protective outer layer of the eye. It acts as a shield, protecting the eye from germs, dirt, and other particles that can harm the eye, and it also significantly contributes to the eye’s ability to focus.

The cornea plays a significant role in vision by focusing the entry of light into the eye. As light enters the eye, it is refracted, or bent, by the outside shape of the cornea. The curvature of this outer layer helps determine how well your eye can focus on objects close up and far away. Although the cornea is surprisingly strong and durable, if the cornea becomes damaged through disease, infection, or injury, the resulting scars or discoloration can interfere with vision by blocking or distorting light as it enters the eye.

What are the symptoms of Corneal Conditions?

With its ability for a quick repair, the cornea usually heals after most injuries or disease. However, when there is a deep injury to the cornea, the healing process may be prolonged, possibly resulting in a variety of symptoms, including:

• Pain in the eye
• Blurred or reduced vision
• Tearing
• Redness or inflammation in the eye
• Extreme sensitivity to light
• Corneal scarring
• Headache, nausea, fatigue

If you experience any of the symptoms listed above, call our office to schedule an appointment. They may indicate a more serious problem or require special or urgent treatment.