The cornea consists of five layers. The outermost layer is the epithelial one. When the epithelial layer is not properly stuck to the layer underneath it, a disease called corneal erosion occurs. If the problem is not constant, it is called periodic erosion of the cornea.
The most common symptom of corneal erosion is light to heavy pain. The pain can be especially unpleasant in the morning after waking up. If the epithelial layer is not correctly attached to the lower layer of the cornea, when you open your eyes, the epithelial layer can be ripped up.
Other symptoms include:
- Feeling of a foreign body in the eye
- Light sensitivity
- Blurred vision
- Tearing (especially after waking up)
- Dryness
Your ophthalmologist can recommend using specific creams before bed. You can also use eye drops such as “artificial tears” during the day to keep your eyes moisturized. You can use a special type of contact lens that acts like a bandage for the eye. Antibiotics can also be used for multiple days until the epithelial layer heals.
If the corneal erosion continues or repeats even after the treatment, your eye doctor can recommend surgery to help heal and strengthen the epithelial layer.