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Cloudy cornea

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Cloudy cornea

Definition

A cloudy cornea is a loss of transparency of the cornea.

Alternative Names

Causes

The cornea is normally a nearly invisible, transparent structure covering the iris of the eye. Its two purposes are to transmit and focus the light entering the eye.

Causes of clouding of the cornea include:

• Alkali and other chemical burns to the cornea
• Herpetic keratoconjunctivitis (a form of conjunctivitis caused by herpes simplex)
• Infectious diseases
• Poor nutrition
• River blindness (onchocerciasis - an infection common in parts of Africa)
• Several rare inherited diseases involving abnormal metabolism
• Sjogren's syndrome
• Trachoma
• Trauma
• Vitamin A deficiency

Clouding leads to varying degrees of visual loss.

Home Care

Consult your health care provider. There is no appropriate home care.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Contact your health care provider if:

• The outer surface of the eye appears cloudy
• You have trouble with your vision

Note: It is appropriate to see an ophthalmologist for vision or eye problems. However, your primary health care provider may also be involved if a whole-body (systemic) disease is suspected.

What to Expect at Your Office Visit

The doctor will take a medical history and examine your eyes.

Medical history questions may include:

• Did the cornea become cloudy quickly, or did it develop slowly?
• When did you first notice this?
• Does it affect both eyes?
• Is there any history of injury to the eye?
• What other symptoms do you have?
• Do you have any trouble with your vision?
• If so, what type (blurring, reduced vision, or other) and how much?

Physical examination will include a thorough check of your eyes and vision.

Diagnostic tests may include:

• Biopsy of lid tissue
• Ophthalmoscopy
• Special photographs to measure the cells of the cornea
• Standard eye exam
• Tests for suspected causes
• Ultrasound to measure corneal thickness

After seeing your health care provider:

You may want to add a diagnosis related to cloudy cornea to your personal medical record.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.