The eye is made up of six main parts: the pupil, iris, lens, retina, optic nerve, and cornea. Many of us have heard the term cornea before, but we don’t really know what it is or what it does. In addition to learning about the cornea, it’s important to understand if you may be at risk for any corneal diseases. We will discuss all of these topics in this blog post.

What is a Cornea?

Like we mentioned already, a cornea is one part of the eyeball. Specifically, it is the very front layer of your eye. This clear, dome-shaped layer bends the light that enters your eye and focuses it so that you can see. It also serves as a barrier of protection against infection.

What is Corneal Disease?

Corneal disease is a term that refers to a variety of conditions that affect the cornea. There are a variety of corneal diseases, and most of them are treatable.

Keratoconus is a progressive eye disease that causes the cornea to thin and distort, altering the eye’s ability to see clearly.

Fuchs’ corneal dystrophy is a chronic eye disorder that causes swelling in the innermost layer of the cornea and gradually leads to corneal deterioration.

Keratitis is a type of corneal infection that causes inflammation within the protective outer layer of the eye.

Ocular herpes is a type of corneal disease caused by viral infection related to HSV-I, which is known for causing cold sores.

If you think you might be dealing with any of these corneal diseases, the doctors at Broberg Eye Care can help. Schedule an appointment today.

Is Corneal Disease Hereditary?

Many corneal diseases, including corneal dystrophies (keratoconus and Fuchs’), are hereditary. While that does not mean you are guaranteed to suffer from these conditions if they run in your family, it does mean that you are predisposed to them. Find out if either of the conditions run in your family, and let your eye doctor know if they do. Your doctor will know what signs to look for and how to keep your corneas healthy.

Whether you are predisposed to corneal diseases or not, it is important to schedule regular eye exams. These will ensure that your ophthalmologist catches any warning signs early, which can lead to more effective prevention and treatment.

Broberg Eye Care specializes in treating a variety of corneal problems. Contact our team today to schedule an appointment and learn more.