Corneal dystrophy is characterized with the accumulation of foreign material in one or more of the five layers of the cornea. The material can make the cornea lose its transparency, which can cause loss of vision or blurred vision.
There are more than 20 different types of corneal dystrophy. They are usually grouped in 3 categories, depending on the part of the cornea that is affected.
- Frontal or surface corneal dystrophy affects the outermost layers of the cornea – the epithelial and the membrane
- Stromal corneal dystrophy affects the connective tissue in the middle and the thick layer of the cornea
- Anterior corneal dystrophy affects the innermost parts of the cornea – the endothelium and its membrane.
Symptoms of dystrophy depend on its type. Some people have no symptoms.
Many people experience corneal dystrophy. This means that the outermost layer of the cornea doesn’t manage to attach to the next layer. Corneal dystrophy causes light to heavy pain in the eyes, sensitivity to light and the feeling of a foreign body in the eye.
Treatment for corneal dystrophy depends on its type and how serious the symptoms are. If no symptoms are present, the doctor can follow your condition carefully, and if symptoms increase, start treating you with creams and eye drops. Laser treatment can also be an option.