Protect the Outer Layer of Your Eye
Your cornea is the clear outer part of your eye. Amazingly, this incredibly thin area has five layers, each with their own purpose and function:
- Outer layer – Epithelium: protects the eyes from foreign debris; absorbs nutrients and oxygen from tears and passes those to the other layers
- Layer 2 – Bowman’s membrane: transparent collagen layer that can respond to injury by forming a scar
- Layer 3 – Stroma: the thickest layer that provides connective tissue for strength
- Layer 4 – Decement’s membrane: strong tissue that protects against injury and infection
- Layer 5 – Endothelium: keeps the fluid balance regular to keep the cornea clear
Types of Corneal Diseases
If any layer of the cornea is damaged, this can result in a corneal disease that causes distorted vision or even blindness. Some of these diseases include:
- Keratoconus: thinning of the cornea that leads to bulging out into a cone shape
- Corneal dystrophies: progressive disorders caused by an accumulation of abnormal material on the cornea
- Keratitis: inflammation of the cornea
- Ocular herpes: infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV)
- Pterygium: growth on the cornea
Corneal Shape
The shape of the cornea determines how light entering your eyes will focus in front of, behind or directly on the retina (the back of the eye). Refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism are due to an irregular corneal shape.
If you are experiencing any vision problems or eye irritation in Grand Rapids or Hibbing, contact us today.
We’d Love to Tell You More About Cornea Care
We invite you to schedule an eye exam so we can assess your vision for signs of cornea problems so treatment can be administered. During your visit to our practice, you will learn why so many people trust our team to protect their precious eyesight.
