Cornea Specialists Pottstown, PA

How do you know whether you need a cornea specialist? There are many causes to corneal problems and diseases that affect the cornea. If you have a damaged eye, cornea specialists in Pottstown PA are ready to see you at Eye Consultants of Pennsylvania.

What is the cornea’s function?

The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped surface that makes up the outermost layer of the eye. It is a highly complex tissue and is different from most body tissues in that it does not have any blood vessels. This means that the cornea has less protection against infection. Instead of receiving nourishment from the blood vessels, the cornea relies on the tears for nutrients.

Cornea conditions

The cornea helps focus your vision and if it becomes injured or affected by disease, vision is also affected. Our cornea specialists offer different treatments for different corneal issues.

Dry eye: Dry eye is one of the most common corneal conditions, particularly given the amount of computer time people are spending these days. The cornea relies on the tears for nutrients instead of receiving nutrients through the blood vessels. Therefore, dry eye can be a real problem. This is a condition in which the eye produces fewer or lower quality tears and is therefore unable to keep its surface lubricated. The main symptom of dry eye is usually a scratchy or gritty feeling; it feels like a piece of sand is in the eye. People often experience stinging or burning sensations, redness or even discharge from the eye, and vision can also be blurry.

Allergies: Allergies can also affect the cornea, particularly pollen allergies. Symptoms in the eye include redness, itching, tearing, burning, stinging, and watery discharge. Antihistamine decongestant eye drops effectively reduce these symptoms.

Infection is also a big problem, particularly for contact lens wearers. We often see patients with contact lens related infections of the cornea. Overnight wear is often the culprit. It greatly increases the risk of corneal infection, which can pose a serious threat to your vision. Our team aggressively treats these infections with topical antibiotics. We even counsel patients about the pros and cons of wearing contact lenses. For patients no longer interested in wearing contact lenses, we can discuss LASIK laser vision correction options.

Viral infections can also impact the corneas. For example, shingles, which is a reactivation of the varicella zoster virus (the same virus that causes chickenpox), can create issues. After having chickenpox, the virus can live on within your nerve cells for years after the sores have gone away. In some people, the varicella zoster virus reactivates later in life, travels through the nerve fibers, and emerges in the cornea. If this happens, come see us immediately. Our eye care professionals may prescribe oral antiviral treatment to reduce the risk of inflammation and scarring in the cornea. Shingles can also cause decreased sensitivity in the cornea. Corneal problems may arise months after the shingles are gone from the rest of the body. If you experience shingles in your eye, or nose, or on your face, it’s important to have your eyes examined several months after the shingles have cleared.

Come to the experts

The corneal specialists and surgeons at Eye Consultants of Pennsylvania are board-certified and fellowship-trained. We have the quality and experience you can count on. Regardless of your injury, our experts can restore corneal clarity. If you live or work in Pottstown PA, corneal specialists are right here in town at Eye Consultants of Pennsylvania. Give us a call to schedule your appointment.