Description
Inflammation of the cornea. The cornea is the clear part of the eye that covers the colored portion of the eye. The disorder can be caused by: trauma, ultraviolet radiation (snow blindness, a temporary form of damage to the cornea), welding, infections, inflammatory immune system diseases, and chemical exposures. Wearing sunglasses when outside for long periods of time and wearing an eye shield while welding or working with caustic chemicals can reduce the chance of getting this disorder.
Symptoms
Eye pain, photophobia (increased pain with looking at light), excessive tearing, foreign body sensation of the eye.
Tests
Common tests used for diagnosis and treatment
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. The diagnosis is made by performing a slit lamp examination, and fluorescein staining of the cornea. Depending on whether other symptoms are present, tests to identify an autoimmune disease may be recommended.
Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP)
Other Specific Tests: ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate)
Specialists:
Ophthalmology
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. The diagnosis is made by performing a slit lamp examination, and fluorescein staining of the cornea. Depending on whether other symptoms are present, tests to identify an autoimmune disease may be recommended.
Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP)
Other Specific Tests: ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate)
Specialists:
Ophthalmology
Treatment
The treatment depends on the cause or underlying disease and the severity of the condition. Common treatments include: wearing an eye patch, antimicrobial drugs (topical or oral), steroid eye drops or oral steroids, or immune-suppressing medications. For severe disease that does not respond to other treatments, a corneal transplant may be recommended.