Dr. Matthew Bujak
Corneal and Cataract Surgery Eye Physician and Surgeon
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Patient Education

Educational Articles

for patients of Dr. Bujak

Recurrent Corneal Erosion

 

The cornea is the clear front window of the eye covering the iris (the colored portion of the eye) and the round pupil. The cornea is composed of five layers and the outermost layer is the epithelium.

When the epithelium does not adhere correctly to the corneal tissue below, this can cause a condition called recurrent corneal erosion.

There are many possible causes of recurrent corneal erosion, including a history of corneal injury, such as corneal abrasion, and corneal disease.

Symptoms include:

  • severe pain (often upon waking);

  • light sensitivity;

  • blurred vision;

  • red eye;

  • dryness; and

  • tearing.

Often symptoms are first noticed upon waking in the morning. This is because when you open your eyes, your eyelids pull away the cells that have been loosened overnight.

Without treatment, your eye may continue to experience this erosion.

To detect and evaluate corneal erosion, eyedrops with orange dye are placed in your eye. Your ophthalmologist may prescribe saline solution drops to help your epithelium adhere to the underlying tissue, and he or she also may ask you to use artificial tears to keep your eyes moist.

For patients with corneal erosion caused by corneal disease, an additional procedure may be necessary to remove the epithelium or adhere it to the underlying tissue in order to encourage a better bond.

Should you continue to experience recurrent corneal erosion despite conservative treatments, your ophthalmologist might suggest an additional procedure called a phototherapeutic keratectomy to remove a layer of corneal tissue with a laser.

This technique is used to promote healing and good adherence of the epithelium.

Other treatments may include procedures to remove the damaged epithelium. In addition some patients may have anterior stromal puncture, which involves making tiny holes on the surface of the cornea to promote stronger attachments between the top layer of corneal cells and the layer of the cornea underneath.

 
Jay Lyonns