Corneal Edema: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Options

Explore comprehensive insights on corneal edema, its symptoms, diagnosis, traditional treatments, and how custom scleral lenses can enhance your vision.

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Welcome to Amplify EyeCare, your trusted specialty contact lens center. As experienced eye doctors in the field, we aim to enhance your vision and eye health with advanced medically necessary contact lenses, including custom scleral lenses. Our main goal is to help you understand the best solutions available for your ocular conditions, such as corneal edema. In this page, we will delve into the nature of corneal edema and explore how scleral lenses can be an effective treatment.

What Causes Corneal Edema?

Corneal Edema results from an imbalance in the process of fluid absorption and removal in the cornea. This imbalance may be triggered by various causes:

Eye surgeries: Procedures that involve the cornea can sometimes lead to corneal edema.
Ocular diseases: Conditions like glaucoma can increase the risk of developing corneal edema.
Genetic factors: Certain inherited conditions can make an individual more susceptible to corneal edema.
Aging: Wear and tear due to the aging process can disrupt the fluid balance in the cornea, leading to corneal edema.

Symptoms of Corneal Edema

The symptoms below might indicate the presence of corneal edema:

Blurry vision or visual distortion: Corneal edema can affect the quality of your vision, making objects appear hazy or distorted.
Frequent sensation of having something in your eye: This condition often creates a foreign body sensation.
Eye pain: The swelling of the cornea can cause mild to severe eye pain.
Sensitivity to light (Photophobia): You may find yourself uncomfortable in bright light or sunlight
Rainbow-colored halos around lights: A unique symptom of corneal edema is seeing rainbow-colored circles around light sources.
Decreased visual clarity in low light: Your ability to see clearly in dim lighting can be compromised.
Increased tear production: You may experience an excessive amount of tearing.
Eye redness: The whites of your eyes may become red or bloodshot due to irritation and inflammation.

If you notice any of these symptoms, do not hesitate to reach out to us to schedule a consultation.

Symptoms of Corneal Edema

The diagnosis of corneal edema is a comprehensive process that involves:

Detailed Eye Examination and Patient History: We conduct an extensive eye examination that looks at your overall eye health.
Measurement of Corneal Thickness: Using specialized equipment, we measure the thickness of your cornea.
Assessment of Eye Health History: We consider your past eye conditions, surgeries, and treatments to identify potential risk factors.
Utilization of Advanced Technology: We leverage cutting-edge technology for a more accurate diagnosis.
Formulating a Treatment Strategy: Based on the diagnosis, we create a personalized treatment plan for your condition.

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Traditional Treatment Options for Corneal Edema

While corneal edema can be distressing, various treatment options can alleviate your symptoms. Traditional treatment methods include:

Using hypertonic saline solution eye drops to reduce corneal swelling
Medications to lower eye pressure in cases where glaucoma is a factor
Therapeutic soft contact lenses to offer relief from corneal bullae (fluid blisters)
In severe cases, corneal transplant surgery

While these methods have been effective to a degree, there are innovative and non-invasive alternatives that offer superior benefits — scleral lenses.

Scleral Lenses for Corneal Edema: A Transformative Solution

At , we understand the discomfort and vision problems that come with corneal edema. This is why we wholeheartedly recommend the use of scleral lenses as a revolutionary treatment for this condition.

Unique Design and Function

Scleral lenses are distinct from traditional lenses due to their unique design. They are larger in diameter and vault over the entire corneal surface, including the swollen or painful areas, and rest on the sclera - the white part of the eye. This design creates a new, undamaged optical surface, resulting in improved vision.

One of the most beneficial features of scleral lenses is the reservoir of saline solution they form between the lens and the cornea. This reservoir consistently hydrates your eye, keeping it moist and reducing the symptoms of dryness and discomfort associated with corneal edema.

Reduced Friction

Scleral lenses offer another substantial advantage: they prevent friction between the cornea and the eyelid that can occur with conventional lenses. This friction can worsen the symptoms of corneal edema and further harm the ocular surface. By eliminating this issue, scleral lenses offer a more comfortable and less irritating lens-wearing experience.

A Gold Standard in Eye Care

Scleral lenses are the gold standard of treatment for corneal irregularities, such as corneal edema. They are custom-made to fit your eyes perfectly, providing optimal comfort and vision correction. With their ability to reduce symptoms and enhance vision drastically, they can radically improve your quality of life.

Continued Care and Support

At , our dedicated team led by a committed to providing continuous care and support. We ensure you receive detailed guidance on the correct handling, insertion, removal, and cleaning of scleral lenses. We're also here for regular check-ups to monitor your progress and make any necessary adjustments to your treatment plan.

Find an Amplify Practice in Your Area

Amplify EyeCare is a team of a passionate and experienced optometrists practicing eye care at the cutting edge of technology and vision science. We are growing with new locations coming across the US.

Visit a Specialty Contacts vision clinic at an Amplify EyeCare practice near you: