Charlotte, North Carolina
At Horizon Eye Care, our Cornea and External Disease service offers diagnosis and treatment of conditions which affect the cornea and its epithelium (top layer). This covers a wide array of possible problems relating to the eye’s front surface, such as:
- Eye injuries
- Dry Eye Syndrome
- Eye infections
- Fuch's Corneal Dystrophy
- Corneal swelling
- Corneal ulcers
- Hereditary conditions
- Allergies
What is the cornea?
The cornea is the clear front surface of the eye, which curves over the iris and pupil. The white sclera covers the side parts of the eye’s anterior (front) surface. Part of the cornea’s function is to protect the eye, and to that end it is a layered and fairly tough structure, with continuous moisture bathing it (tears). The tears increase in quantity when any irritant gets on to the cornea, and usually can wash away the daily dust, small insects, loose eyelashes, or whatever else gets into the eye.
The other part of the cornea’s function is to allow light into the eye and to bend it as it passes through. All transparent, curved structures bend (refract) light. The eye’s lens is another transparent, curved structure, suspended behind the iris, and it bends the incoming light a second time. Between the cornea and the lens, a normal eye can refract light the right amount to focus it on the retina and get clear images.
If the cornea’s transparency is reduced by any scars, blisters, scratches etc., light is blocked to some extent, which reduces vision.
Treatments
Our Cornea and External Disease doctors offer treatment for mild, moderate and severe corneal conditions. They might be as simple as moisturizing eye drops. For an infection, we offer antibiotic eyedrops and ointments, among other things. We can pinpoint allergens and help eliminate them. We offer various surgeries, such as:
- Cataract Surgery – to replace the impaired natural lens with an artificial implanted lens
- Penetrating Keratoplasty – to replace the entire cornea if that is necessary
- Lamellar keratoplasty – to replace just the damaged layers of the cornea
Uveitis is inflammation of the uvea, a layer beneath the white sclera. It can develop suddenly and give pain and blurry vision. It can cause scars in the eye and needs to be treated as soon as possible. It has many possible causes and in fact the cause in each case is not necessarily known. Please contact us if you are experiencing any sudden eye pain.
In the course of our eye examinations, diagnosis and treatment, we may order skin tests, blood tests or X-rays. Cornea and External Disease is a busy section of Horizon Eye Care, and we put a high value on patient education.
Our cornea and external disease ophthalmologists are:
Paul G. Galentine, MD
Gerald B. Rosen, MD
David N. Ugland, MD
It is best not to delay seeing an eye doctor if your eyes are giving you any sort of trouble. What might seem like a minor bit of discomfort or pinkness or blurriness could be a symptom of something serious. If you are having any eye problems and would like a thorough, professional examination and discussion, please call or email us. We will be happy to set up a personal consultation for you. We serve the entire Charlotte, North Carolina area.
