A cloudy cornea is a loss of transparency of the cornea.
Alternative Names
Corneal opacification; Corneal edema
Common Causes
The cornea makes up the front wall of the eye. It is normally clear. It helps focus the light entering the eye.
Causes of cloudy cornea include:
Inflammation
Sensitivity to non-infectious bacteria
Ulcers on the eye
Infection
Keratitis
Trachoma
River blindness
Swelling due to glaucoma, birth injury, or Fuchs'dystrophy
Dryness of the eye due to Sjogren syndrome, vitamin A deficiency, and sometimes after LASIK eye surgery
Dystrophy (inherited metabolic disease)
Keratoconus
Injruy to the eye, including chemical burns and welding injury
Scarring
Clouding may affect all or part of the cornea. It lleads to different amounts of vision loss. You may not have any symptoms in the early stages.
Home Care
Consult your health care provider. There is no appropriate home care.
Call your health care provider if
Contact your health care provider if:
The outer surface of the eye appears cloudy
You have trouble with your vision
Note: It is appropriate to see an ophthalmologist for vision or eye problems. However, your primary health care provider may also be involved if a whole-body (systemic) disease is suspected.
What to expect at your health care provider's office
Your doctor or nurse will examine your eyes and ask questions about your symptoms and medical history, such as:
Did the cornea become cloudy quickly, or did it develop slowly?
When did you first notice this?
Does it affect both eyes?
Is there any history of injury to the eye?
Do you wear contacts?
Do you have any trouble with your vision?
If so, what type (blurring, reduced vision, or other) and how much?
Tests may include:
Biopsy of lid tissue
Computer mapping of the cornea (corneal topography)
Schirmer's test for eye dryness
Special photographs to measure the cells of the cornea
Newlin AC, Wadia H, Sugar J. Corneal and external eye manifestations of systemic disease. In: Yanoff M, Duker JS, eds. Ophthalmology. 3rd ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby Elsevier; 2008:chap 4.25.
Review Date:
9/18/2012
Reviewed By:
Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
