The eye has many intricate parts that work together to provide you with clear vision. These parts include:
- The retina, which senses light that comes into the eye
- The optic nerve, which transmits information from the retina to the brain
- The pupil, which opens and closes to control how much light is let into the eye
- The lens, which moves inside of the eye to adjust the focus of the light
- The cornea is the translucent layer of tissue at the front of your eye, covering the pupil and the iris
This tissue not only covers the opening that is the pupil, but it also focuses most of the light that comes through your eyes. This makes it a critical component of vision.
Being such an important part of the vision and so fragile, it is no wonder that the cornea faces many problems. Keep reading to learn more about what the cornea does and why it’s so important!
Corneal Problems
Because the cornea is at the front of the eye, it is often subject to small scratches and abrasions. These will usually heal on their own and are not noticeable.
Corneal Abrasion
A deep enough cut may leave scarring, which can impede vision. A corneal abrasion is particularly common in people with severe dry eyes. The lack of lubrication can cause problems.
Keratitis and Keratoconus
Corneal diseases are another problem. Keratitis is an inflammation of the cornea that causes swelling. It can permanently damage your vision.
Keratoconus is another issue that causes the cornea to swell. This leads to the cornea becoming more cone-like in shape over time.
Corneal Infections and Corneal Ulcers
Infections in the cornea can occur. These infections can cause open sores to appear on the surface of the tissue. These are called corneal ulcers.
Refractive Errors
The most common corneal problem people face are refractive errors. These are what cause people to be nearsighted, farsighted, or astigmatic.
When the curvature of the cornea is not correct, it causes light that passes through to focus incorrectly. Glasses and contacts fix this by bending the light before it reaches the cornea.
This accounts for the change that the cornea makes. But glasses and contacts have their own problems. This is what makes LASIK such a popular option for dealing with refractive errors.
What is LASIK?
LASIK is a vision surgery that permanently corrects refractive errors. This is possible by changing the shape of the cornea.
The surgery is fast, has an incredible rate of success, and, above all, is very safe. Of course, being a surgery, there are still risks involved with LASIK.
To reduce the chance of complications, you must qualify as a LASIK candidate to get LASIK. Some factors that go into LASIK candidacy include:
- Prescription stability
- Healthy eyes
- Corneal thickness
- If you are currently pregnant or nursing
- If you are at least 18 years old at the time of LASIK
To find out if you are a good candidate for LASIK, schedule a LASIK consultation at Westlake Eye Specialists in Austin, TX!
If you’ve ever wondered if there was something better than glasses and contacts, LASIK may be right for you!
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