Corneal Disorders

The cornea is a clear, dome-shaped window of the front of your eye which focuses light into your eye.

The cornea has five layers:

Epithelium: the outermost, protective layer of the cornea.
Bowman’s Membrane: this second protective layer is strong.
Stroma: the thickest layer of the cornea. It is made up of water, collagen fibres and other connective tissue. This strengthens the cornea and makes it flexible and clear.
Descemet’s Membrane: a thin, strong inner layer that is also protective.
Endothelium: the innermost layer made up of cells that pump excess water out of the cornea.

Corneal Dystrophies

Corneal dystrophies are a group of rare genetic eye disorders. With corneal dystrophies, abnormal material builds up in the cornea. Most corneal dystrophies affect both eyes. They progress slowly and run in families.

There are more than 20 different types of corneal dystrophies. They are generally grouped into three categories:

Anterior or superficial corneal dystrophies. These affect the outermost layers of the cornea: the epithelium and Bowman’s membrane/
Stromal corneal dystrophies affect the stroma, which is the middle and thickest layer of the cornea.
Posterior corneal dystrophies affect the innermost parts of the cornea: the endothelium and the Descemet membrane. The most common posterior corneal dystrophy is Fuch’s dystrophy.
The symptoms of corneal dystrophy depend upon the type of corneal dystrophy. Some people experience no symptoms. In others, the build-up of material in the cornea causes it to be opaque (not clear). This leads to blurred vision or vision loss.
Many people also experience corneal erosion. This happens when the layer of cells on the surface of the cornea (the epithelium) loosens from the layer underneath (Bowman’s membrane). Corneal erosion causes:
Mild to severe pain in the eye.
Light sensitivity.
Feeling like something is in the eye.

Because most corneal dystrophies are genetic, family history of the disease increases your risk. Corneal dystrophies can appear at any age. Men and women are equally affected by most corneal dystrophies, except for Fuch’s dystrophy. Fuch’s dystrophy affects women more frequently than men.

Corneal Disorders