Your cornea is an important part of your eyes: it serves as a multi-layer protection layer as well as a gauge for how clearly you can see.

• Protection: As the clear outer layer of your eyes, the cornea is responsible for keeping dirt and foreign debris out of your eyes, protect against injury or infection and much more. 
• Clarity: The shape of your cornea dictates if you will be nearsighted, farsighted or have astigmatism. Laser vision correction can often be performed to alter the shape of the cornea so clear vision can be achieved. 

When you study the cornea closely, you discover that there are actually 5 layers to this part of your eye. Each layer provides a different function:

• Epithelium (outermost layer): a barrier for foreign matter; also absorbs nutrients and oxygen from tears
• Bowman’s membrane (second layer): collagen fibers for corneal strength
• Stroma (middle layer): dense connective tissue providing elasticity and strength
• Decement’s membrane (inner layer): dense collagen tissue
• Endothelium (innermost layer): transports excess fluid out of the stroma

Corneal Problems

If any of the layers of your cornea become damaged, you will experience vision problems. At Azul Vision, our team can diagnose these problems and provide treatment to save your vision. Some of the most common conditions include: 

• Keratoconus, an eye disease that causes the cornea to thin and bulge outward
• Pterygium (Surfer’s Eye), a growth of fleshy tissue that covers all or part of the cornea
• Corneal Dystrophies that cause structural problems
• Keratitis, an eye inflammation

The symptoms of corneal problems can greatly vary. If you are noticing any change in your vision or eye irritations, contact us to schedule an eye exam. Keeping regular appointments with our team will allow us to identify problems in the earliest stages so your eye health can be preserved.

Stay proactive with your eye health.

Schedule an Eye Exam today!