Cornea Specialists Reading, PA

Do you need a cornea specialist? You might. The cornea is the clear “window” that allows light to pass into the eye, and when it is damaged, the rays of light entering the eye are scattered, and that reduces vision quality. There are many causes to corneal problems, but if you have a damaged eye, cornea specialists near Reading PA are ready to see you in the Eye Consultants of Pennsylvania Blandon office.

What is the cornea’s function?

The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped surface that is the outermost layer of the eye. The cornea helps focus your vision. 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. The cornea has five layers, each with a unique function.

Cornea conditions

The cornea can be injured or affected by allergies or disease. Our cornea specialists offer different treatments that vary depending on the root cause of the problem.

Dry eye: Because the cornea relies on the tears for nutrients, 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 feeling or the feeling of having a foreign object like a piece of sand in the eye. People often experience stinging or burning sensations, redness or even discharge from the eye. Vision can also be blurred.

Allergies: Allergies can also affect the cornea. The most common allergies that affect the eye are those related to pollen, particularly when the weather is warm and dry. 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. Yes, Reading PA, corneal specialists are nearby in the Blandon office at Eye Consultants of Pennsylvania. Give us a call to schedule your appointment.