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Corneal edema is a condition that is characterized by the swelling of the eye’s cornea. The cornea is the clear tissue layer of the eye that transmits and focuses light so that you can see. It’s made up of five important layers:
Each layer works in unison to capture light, which ultimately enhances your vision. The cornea, therefore, is an integral part of your eye. Damage to the cornea can significantly impair your vision and affect the proper functioning of your eye.
While corneal edema occurs most often in people who are 50 years old or older, anyone at any age can develop the eye condition.
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There are a few common causes of corneal edema. Corneal edema can happen when the cornea becomes inflamed (known as keratitis) due to medical conditions like herpes simplex viral infections. Or it can develop after the use of certain medications or from wearing irritating contact lenses too often.
In the case of glaucoma, the eye’s intraocular pressure may be too high and affect the cornea. You can also develop corneal edema after eye surgery, such as cataract surgery. This is because intraocular procedures can damage the cornea.
While corneal edema may be due to an underlying cause, most commonly, it happens when there’s a buildup of fluid in your eye. The endothelium of the cornea controls the build-up and release of fluid. You can damage the endothelium of your cornea and develop corneal edema a few ways:
Corneal edema can be uncomfortable due to swelling of the cornea and any endothelial damage. You may experience some or all of these symptoms if you have corneal edema:
Your ophthalmologist will have a conversation with you about your symptoms and medical history before conducting an eye exam to look at your cornea. They’ll look out for any clouding of your cornea by using magnifying tools such as slit lamps and ophthalmoscopes. They may also do an ultrasound on your eye or measure your cornea’s thickness via a process that is known as pachymetry.
If you are diagnosed with corneal edema, your ophthalmologist will share and discuss some treatment options for you. It’s important to weigh your options given the severity of your diagnosis, budget, lifestyle, and other factors.
Fortunately, there are both surgical and non-surgical options to treat corneal edema. Depending on your diagnosis, some surgical treatment options may include the following:
If your case isn’t so severe, non-surgical treatment options may include the following:
Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about corneal edema.
Corneal edema can cause headaches for some people. Because of the swelling and your impaired vision, you may find yourself straining your eyes more often so that you can see more clearly. Increased sensitivity to light and foreign particles may also induce headaches. However, not everyone who develops corneal edema experiences headaches.
Corneal edema may go away on its own if it isn’t too serious. If it doesn’t clear up over time, however, corneal edema can still go away with the proper treatment. There are both surgical and non-surgical options to treat corneal edema. It’s important to talk to your ophthalmologist about the best treatment option for you given your diagnosis, budget, lifestyle, and other factors that could influence your decision.
Corneal edema is not always serious. In fact, it’s common in postoperative patients who’ve undergone eye surgeries and often happens in people 50 years of age and older. Depending on the severity of your corneal edema diagnosis, it can have significant effects on your visual acuity if left untreated.
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