What is the Cornea?

The cornea is the transparent front part of the eye that covers the iris and pupil. Along with the lens, the cornea refracts light and helps the eye to focus. The cornea has five layers. The outer layer, called the Corneal Epithelium, is made up of fast-growing and easily-regenerated cells, and is kept moist with tears.

Conditions that Affect the Cornea

The cornea is susceptible to a wide variety of conditions.

Keratitis, for example, is a condition in which the cornea becomes inflamed. Keratitis can cause significant discomfort and impaired eye sight, especially sensitivity to light.

Corneal Abrasion is another common condition that involves the loss of the surface epithelial layer of the eye's cornea. Corneal Abrasions are generally a result of trauma to the surface of the eye, such as poking the eye with a finger or scratching the eye's surface with a foreign object.

Other Conditions of the Cornea Include, but are Not Limited to:

• Dry Eye
• Corneal Ulcers
• Various Infections
• Pterygium (mucous covering the cornea)
• Corneal Dystrophies
• Recurrent Erosion
• Keratoconus
• Pink eye (conjunctivitis)

Remember: Most conditions that affect the cornea are treatable, especially when detected early.

For more information on conditions of the eye, and our various corrective procedures to treat them, be sure to view our Eyemaginations Library, a 3-D guided tour of your eyes, how they work, and the various eye conditions and treatments you should know about.

For all your eye care needs, from contact lenses and glasses to the latest in LASIK laser eye surgery, contact BayCare's Green Bay Eye Clinic today to schedule an appointment.