Causes

May be caused by injury to the cornea (abrasion, laceration, burns, or disease); depending on the degree of scarring, vision can range from a blur to total blindness. Surface abrasions, although extremely painful, heal transparently (do not leave scars). Deeper abrasions and ulcerations/lacerations result in a loss of cornea tissue, which is replaced by scar tissue. Scars left from burns depend on the type and depth of burn: boiling water or a curling iron leave superficial scarring; acids or alkalines cause deeper damage, unless neutralized immediately. Scarring from disease, usually an inflammation, is usually the result of a proliferation of new blood vessels into the clear cornea, to assist in the healing process. Diseases which cause vascularization include herpes simplex, syphilis, and keratitis.

Symptoms

• Pain
• Distorted vision
• Blurred vision
• Tearing
• Redness
• Extreme sensitivity to light

Treatment

The use of medically necessary contact lenses is usually the best method of correcting and restoring vision to the scarred cornea. Scleral contact lenses have the greatest success rates, but when contact lenses fail, a cornea transplant may be necessary. Cornea transplants are always a last resort, but today’s modern technology provides wonderful success rates. When combined with medically necessary contact lenses after surgery, your vision can be restored to a level you never thought could be achieved.

Please feel free to call our warm and welcoming staff to learn more or make an appointment for a consultation with one of our expert doctors. Please call 214.739.8611 Ext 1. We look forward to helping you.