Corneal Opacity(Corneal Opacification; Cloudy Cornea)
by
Cynthia M. Johnson, MA DefinitionCorneal opacity is scarring of the cornea. This is the clear front layer of the eye. This problem makes it hard for light to pass through the cornea to the retina. The cornea may also look white or clouded over. CausesThis problem is caused by infection, injury, or swelling of the eye. Risk FactorsThings that may raise the risk of this problem are:
SymptomsProblems may be:
DiagnosisThe doctor will ask about your symptoms and health history. A physical exam will be done. Your eyes will be tested. This can be done with:
TreatmentTreatments depend on the cause of the scarring and how severe it is. Medicines may be used, such as antibiotics, steroids, or both. They may be given as eye drops or taken by mouth. Some people may need to have the scarring removed. This can be done with laser surgery. People with severe symptoms may need a cornea transplant. PreventionThe risk of this problem may be lowered by:
RESOURCES:American Optometric Association http://www.aoa.org Eye Health—American Academy of Ophthalmology http://www.eyesmart.org CANADIAN RESOURCES:Canadian Ophthalmological Society http://www.cos-sco.ca Health Canada https://www.canada.ca References:Congenital Corneal Opacities. American Academy of Ophthalmology. Available at: https://www.aao.org/topic-detail/congenital-corneal-opacities-europe. Accessed March 23, 2021. Corneal conditions. National Eye Institute website. Available at: https://nei.nih.gov/health/cornealdisease. Accessed March 23, 2021. Trachoma. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/trachoma. Accessed March 23, 2021. Williams K, Irani Y, et al. Novel therapeutic approaches for corneal disease. Discov Med. 2013 May;15(84):291-299. Available at: ...(Click grey area to select URL) Accessed March 23, 2021. Last reviewed December 2020 by
EBSCO Medical Review Board
Daniel A. Ostrovsky, MD Last Updated: 03/23/2021 | |
EBSCO Information Services is fully accredited by URAC. URAC is an independent, nonprofit health care accrediting organization dedicated to promoting health care quality through accreditation, certification and commendation. This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition. To send comments or feedback to our Editorial Team regarding the content please email us at healthlibrarysupport@ebsco.com. Our Health Library Support team will respond to your email request within 2 business days. |