CORNEA & EXTERNAL DISEASES
CORNEA & EXTERNAL DISEASES
If you’re suffering from corneal or external eye diseases, you understand the dramatic impact that eye pain and discomfort can have on your quality of life. At South Shore Eye Care in Wantagh and Massapequa, New York, the staff is passionate about alleviating these symptoms so you can focus on what really matters in life. The corneal and external disease experts at South Shore Eye Care have decades of experience in providing innovative treatment in the most difficult cases. If you have seen other doctors without relief, contact South Shore Eye Care to make an appointment — and find relief.
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WHAT IS THE CORNEA?
The cornea is the outermost layer of your eye, covering the pupil and iris. Completely free of blood vessels, the cornea is clear, comprised of five separate layers, and serves as:
- Protection for your eye, preventing damage from pathogens, dust, and other matter
- The outermost lens, focusing light before it hits the inner lens and is projected onto the retina
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WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON CORNEAL CONDITIONS & DISEASES?
Your cornea can be damaged by diseases like:
- Chronic inflammation
- Infection
- Chemical, thermal, or traumatic injury
- Tumors
- Hereditary conditions like Fuch’s or granular dystrophy
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WHAT ARE THE SIGNS & SYMPTOMS OF CORNEAL INJURY, INFECTION, OR DISEASE?
Although conditions that can affect your cornea vary, the most common symptoms for nearly any corneal complication are pain and discomfort. Other common symptoms include:
- Blurred vision
- Redness
- Tearing
- Sensitivity to light
- Corneal scarring
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HOW IS CORNEAL DISEASE DIAGNOSED?
If you suspect you have a corneal disease, schedule an appointment with an ophthalmologist at South Shore Eye Care, who can use a variety of tools and equipment to examine your eye for problems. Specific testing depends on your symptoms.
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CAN CORNEAL DISEASE BE TREATED?
Our Corneal Specialists are board certified and fellowship trained in Cornea and External Diseases. They can treat corneal scars and endothelial dystrophies with corneal transplants such as Descemet’s Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSAEK) and Descemet’s Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK). They also perform penetrating keratoplasty (PK) and deep anterior lamellar keratoplasy (DALK) for patients with severe corneal scars or advanced keratoconus.
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WHEN SHOULD YOU SEE A DOCTOR?
Aside from your regularly scheduled visits, you should see an eye doctor if you:
- Suspect you may have injured or damaged your cornea
- Have an eye infection
- Are experiencing flashes of light
- Experience sudden changes in vision
These can be indications of conditions that require further evaluation and treatment as soon as possible.
