Cornea & Retina FAQs

The cornea is the eye’s outermost layer. It is the clear, dome-shaped surface at the front of the eye. It functions like a window, allowing light to enter while also helping focus it. In fact, the cornea contributes between 65-75 percent of the eye’s total focusing power. While it seems to lack substance, it is actually a highly organized group of cells and proteins.

A pterygium is a growth on the surface of the eye, often linked to long-term exposure to sunlight and dry, dusty, or windy environments. It tends to develop more frequently in people who spend a lot of time outdoors. Pterygium is found more often in men than in women.

Most corneal ulcers are caused by infections, including bacterial, viral, fungal, or parasitic infections. Other contributing factors include severe dry eyes, Bell’s palsy, and abnormal eyelid structure. Certain patients are at increased risk, including:

• Contact lens users
• Patients with a history of cold sores or chickenpox
• Patients who use steroid drops
• Patients with severe dry eye disease
• Patients with eyelid disorders

Preventing corneal abrasions starts with proper eye care. Following directions about the appropriate use and care of contact lenses can help avoid corneal damage. Safety glasses protect against many types of trauma. Nutrition also plays a key role. A healthy diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids and sufficient vitamin A helps support a healthy tear film. Regular eye exams also help detect certain corneal conditions early, when they may be easiest to treat.

There are two main corneal transplant surgery options:

• Full-Thickness Corneal Transplant — the surgeon removes the entire diseased corneal tissue with a circular “cookie-cutter” type instrument. The cornea is then replaced with a precisely matched donor corneal tissue with the aid of tiny hair-like sutures.
• Partial-Thickness Corneal Transplant — when only certain layers of the cornea are affected by a disease, surgeons can preserve the patient’s healthy, properly functioning corneal layers and replace the damaged portion.

Fuchs’ Dystrophy is an inherited disease affecting the cornea. As the disease progresses, the endothelium (the inner layer of cells in the cornea) deteriorates and can no longer regulate the cornea’s fluid levels, leading to tiny collagen bumps called guttata developing on the back of the cornea. Over time, the guttata grow in size and number, causing nearby endothelial cells to die off. This loss of cells can result in swelling and blurred vision.

• Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment – The most common type; it happens when small tears in your retina allow a gel-like fluid (vitreous humor) to pass through and collect behind it.
• Tractional retinal detachment – Occurs when scar tissue grows on the retina’s surface and pulls it away from the back of the eye. This is most often seen in people with diabetes.
• Exudative retinal detachment – Happens when fluid builds up behind the retina without a tear, eventually pushing your retina away from the back of your eye.