Corneal Clouding - Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments

What Is Corneal Clouding?

Corneal clouding may also be known as corneal opacities. This is a condition of the eye that may be caused by various factors. Clouding of the cornea may lead to visual disturbances. The cornea is the outermost clear layer of the eye. It is a dome-shaped structure. The light must pass through the cornea before reaching the retina. So, the cornea has to be clear in order to have a clear vision. The cornea is formed by five layers of tissues that perform functions of their own. It helps in directing the light through the lens into the retina. It also protects the eyes from external particles such as dust and UV rays (ultraviolet). Corneal clouding or opacity can be caused by various factors that may range from minor infections to even serious injuries or conditions. Corneal clouding can occur in one of the eyes, or it can occur in both eyes. If diagnosed early, this condition can be reversed with appropriate treatment.

What Are the Symptoms of Corneal Clouding?

Corneal clouding can be associated with various symptoms. Certain symptoms may be specific to certain conditions. Some symptoms can be present all the time, whereas some symptoms may occur once in a while. The most common symptoms that may be associated with corneal clouding may include:

1. The Blurring of Vision: There may be blurring of vision associated with the clouding of the cornea. This may be present all the time or may be intermittent.

2. Irritation of the Eyes: There may be irritation of the eyes along with clouding of the cornea. Mostly eye irritation may be associated with an infection or an injury.

3. Tearing of the Eyes: The eyes may be tearing or watery discharge may be associated with the corneal clouding.

4. Photophobia: The person may experience sensitivity to light along with corneal clouding.

5. Cloudy-Looking Cornea: The cornea may appear white or cloudy. This may be due to various factors. The cloudy-looking cornea may take time to develop and may not be one of the initial symptoms.

6. A feeling of Something in the Eyes: The person may complain of something in the eyes. This may be associated with clinical findings. Sometimes this symptom occurs without any apparent clinical symptom.

7. Decrease in the Visual Field: There may be a decrease in the visual field. This could be due to the opacity of the cornea.

What Are the Causes of Corneal Clouding?

Corneal clouding can be caused by various factors. Some of these factors develop on their own whereas others may be caused by external factors such as an injury. Some of these causes may be reversible, whereas some of these factors may be irreversible. The various factors that may cause corneal clouding may include:

1. Corneal Injuries: Corneal injuries can occur when physical damage occurs to the cornea. This injury to the cornea can be caused due to any foreign object that may get in the eye. A foreign object when it gets in the eye can cause cuts and abrasions to the surface of the cornea. The most common cause of injury to the cornea can include:

• Chemical injury to the eye.

• Any foreign body in the eye such as dust or sand particles.

• Any object that may poke the eye such as a pen or knife or scissors.

• Any radiation that can damage the cornea such as welding rays, and snow blindness.

• An injury that may be caused while placing or removing contact lenses.

2. Corneal Infections: Clouding of the cornea can occur due to various infections. Corneal infections very rarely lead to corneal opacity. Infections if left untreated have a very high chance of becoming opacity of the cornea. The various infections that may cause corneal clouding may include:

• Conjunctivitis: They are bacterial or viral infections of the conjunctiva. Conjunctiva is the outermost layer of the eye. If left untreated it causes infection of the cornea.

• Shingles: It is a viral infection caused by the same organism as chickenpox. Sometimes shingles can affect the face and neck. Sometimes can also affect the cornea.

• Keratitis: It is an infection of the eyes that is mainly caused by an organism called acanthamoeba. This infection spreads through dirty contact lenses. It may also spread through dirty water. If left untreated, this condition can cause clouding of the cornea ultimately leading to blindness.

• Herpes Infection: It is the herpes infection of the eye. It may occur on the eyelid and can progress to the cornea. This may cause opacity of the cornea.

3. Corneal Dystrophies: These are conditions that may cause changes to the cornea. Many types of corneal dystrophy may be inherited or acquired during one’s lifetime. Corneal dystrophy usually occurs in both eyes. They are asymptomatic and may be discovered in routine examinations. If left untreated, they may even lead to blindness. The various corneal dystrophies may include Fuchs dystrophy, map-dot-finger dystrophy, and keratoconus.

4. Other Conditions: The clouding of the cornea may be caused due to other conditions such as pterygium (a triangle or wedge-shaped growth that appears on the cornea after developing on the conjunctiva of the eye) and Stevens-Johnson syndrome (a rare, severe disease that causes the skin to loosen and separate).

What Is the Treatment for Corneal Clouding?

Treatment for corneal clouding depends on treating the underlying cause. The various treatments available for the treatment of corneal clouding include:

1. Corneal Injury: Minor injuries heal quickly, whereas a few invasive injuries can take time to heal. Treatment may vary from an eye patch to a corneal transplant depending on the severity of the injury. Corneal transplant includes the removal of the damaging cornea and replacement of it with a donor cornea. Eye ointments and drops may also be prescribed to help in early recovery.

2. Corneal Infections: Corneal infections can be treated based on the cause of the infection. Depending on the underlying causative organism, medication can be prescribed. The various treatment modalities may include:

• Antiviral or antibiotic eye drops or ointments.

• Steroids may be given to reduce the infection.

• Laser surgery may be preferred in some cases.

• If the condition is irreversible, a corneal transplant may be indicated.

3. Corneal Dystrophies: Corneal dystrophies may be asymptomatic most of the time. It may be diagnosed only during a routine eye examination. The treatment of corneal dystrophy may vary from condition to condition. The various treatments for corneal dystrophy may include eye ointments or drops. Steroids may be given to ease and reduce the symptoms. A corneal transplant may also be indicated in certain conditions.

Conclusion

Corneal clouding may be caused by various factors. Some may have quick resolution whereas some may even need surgery. The treatment strategy is largely guided by the causative factors and can be promptly tackled with right treatment choices. A regular eye checkup can prevent most of the conditions that may lead to corneal clouding. Hence it is always advisable to undergo periodic eye checkups to have optimal vision.