Corneal diseases (keratopathy)
Corneal diseases encompass various changes in the clear front layer of the eye. The cornea is essential for clear vision and protects the eye from external factors. If it becomes irritated, inflamed, or distorted, vision can be significantly impaired.
Possible conditions include inflammation of the cornea, changes caused by dry eyes, keratoconus, congenital corneal opacities, or age-related changes such as corneal guttata or Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy.
Common symptoms
- Redness, pain, or a sensation of a foreign body
- Light sensitivity
- Blurred or distorted vision
- Watery or irritated eyes
- Recurrent inflammation
- Progressive vision loss
Corneal diseases (keratopathy)
Possible causes
- Corneal inflammation, such as in contact lens wearers
- Keratoconus with thinning and deformation of the cornea
- Congenital or genetic corneal opacities
- Superficial damage caused by dry eyes
- Age-related changes in the inner surface of the cornea
- Injuries, infections, or previous eye surgeries
Diagnosis and Treatment
An eye exam can help identify the exact cause of the corneal changes. During the exam, the corneal surface, transparency, shape, tear film, and visual acuity are assessed. Depending on the findings, additional measurements of the cornea may be necessary.
Treatment depends on the type and severity of the condition. Options may include lubricating eye drops, anti-inflammatory treatments, adjustments to contact lenses, specialized corneal treatments, or, in cases of advanced changes, surgical procedures.
Treatment and Surgery for Corneal Disorders
The treatment of corneal diseases depends on the cause, type, and severity of the condition. The goal is to relieve symptoms, stabilize the cornea, and preserve or improve vision as much as possible.
Not every corneal condition requires surgery. Eye drops, anti-inflammatory treatments, eyelid care, or special contact lenses are often effective. In cases of advanced changes, specialized or surgical procedures may be appropriate.
Possible treatments
- Moisturizing or anti-inflammatory eye drops
- Treatment of infections and inflammation
- Fitting of special contact lenses
- Treatment of dry eyes and eyelid care
- Stabilization of the cornea, e.g., in cases of keratoconus
- Surgical procedures for advanced lesions
Potential benefits
- Relief from irritation, pain, and dryness
- Stabilization of the cornea
- Improving visual quality
- Prevention of further progression
- Preservation of corneal transparency
Regular follow-up visits are important after treatment. During these visits, the cornea, visual acuity, and the healing process are carefully monitored. Early diagnosis helps protect vision in the long term.
What you can do yourself
- Clean contact lenses carefully and wear them properly
- Don't rub your eyes
- Treat dry eyes consistently
- If you experience redness, pain, or vision problems, seek medical attention promptly
- Use the eye drops as directed
- Attend regular checkups
When is an evaluation recommended?
An eye exam is recommended if you experience pain, redness, sensitivity to light, a sensation of a foreign body in the eye, or blurred vision. Contact lens wearers, in particular, should have any changes checked out as soon as possible.
An accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment help preserve vision as much as possible.
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Common Eye Problems and Conditions
Our eyes are put under a lot of strain every day. Symptoms such as dry, red, or tired eyes, blurred vision, pain, or a sudden decline in vision should be taken seriously and evaluated by an ophthalmologist. Many eye conditions can now be detected early and treated effectively—timely diagnosis is key.
Preventive Care & Eye Exams – Regular Checkups and Early Detection
Regular eye exams help detect changes in the eye at an early stage—often before symptoms become noticeable. Conditions such as glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and cataracts, in particular, often develop gradually.
Poor eyesight
Refractive errors are among the most common reasons for visiting an ophthalmologist. They occur when light is not focused precisely on the retina. Depending on the type of refractive error, vision may be blurry up close, far away, or in both ranges. The most common types include:
- Nearsightedness / Myopia: Clear up close, blurry at a distance
- Farsightedness / Hyperopia: Distance vision is usually better, while near vision is blurry
- Astigmatism: distorted or blurry vision
- Presbyopia: difficulty reading and seeing up close starting around age 40
Refractive errors can usually be corrected effectively with glasses, contact lenses, or other methods.
Dry eyes
Dry eye syndrome is one of the most common eye conditions and is caused by insufficient lubrication of the eye’s surface. Thanks to simple and effective treatment approaches, most patients can find relief quickly. Treating dry eye is an important part of our work, and we always tailor our care to the individual needs of each patient.
Vision problems & sudden vision loss
Vision problems can have many causes—ranging from harmless, temporary issues to serious eye conditions. In particular, a sudden decline in vision should always be evaluated by an ophthalmologist as soon as possible, as prompt treatment is crucial in some cases.
Cataracts
Cataracts, medically known as cataracts, are a natural ageing process that causes the natural lens of the eye to become cloudy. This clouding can impair vision and requires expert assessment and surgical treatment.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a serious eye disease that affects the optic nerve. It is often caused by increased intraocular pressure, which can damage the optic nerve over time and lead to loss of vision if left untreated. Early detection and treatment are crucial to prevent potential blindness.
Macular degeneration
Macular degeneration refers to a group of diseases that affect the macula - a crucial area of the retina that is responsible for central vision.
This region allows us to see fine details such as letters when reading, faces, colors and more. The most common form is age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which can occur in dry and wet forms.
In addition, certain factors such as diabetes, circulatory disorders of the retina or severe short-sightedness can increase the risk of macular diseases.
Corneal diseases
Corneal diseases affect the clear front layer of the eye and can significantly impair vision.
Common forms include:
- Keratitis: inflammation of the cornea, often accompanied by redness, pain, and blurred vision
- Keratoconus: Thinning and deformation of the cornea
- Corneal dystrophies: mostly genetically caused opacities
- Changes associated with dry eye: superficial damage caused by insufficient lubrication
- Age-related changes: for example, corneal guttata or Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy
An accurate diagnosis is important for determining the appropriate treatment and preserving vision as much as possible.
Eyelid Disorders
Eyelid disorders include various types of inflammation, deformities, and changes in the eyelids. These include styes, chalazia, blepharitis, contact allergies, drooping eyelids, ptosis, eyelid deformities, and benign or malignant changes in the eyelids.
Retinal laser
Retinal laser treatment is used to specifically treat pathological changes in the retina—such as retinal holes, retinal tears, or vascular changes associated with diabetes. The goal is to stabilize the retina, prevent further damage, and preserve vision as much as possible.
YAG capsulotomy for posterior capsule opacification
After cataract surgery, vision may gradually deteriorate again. A common cause is what is known as a secondary cataract. This occurs when the posterior lens capsule—which remains in the eye after surgery and helps stabilize the artificial lens—becomes cloudy.
Dr. med. (I) Avraham Dishy
FMH specialist in ophthalmology and eye surgery
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