8 Corneal and External Eye Diseases | Pterygium |Keratoconus | Keratitis, and More

Discover 8 common corneal and external eye diseases like Pterygium, Keratoconus, and more that can impact your vision and comfort. From irritation and redness to vision distortion, these conditions show up in various ways- but the good news is, most are treatable. Learn about key symptoms, causes, and effective treatment options such as eye drops, minor surgery, or advanced procedures, depending on the condition. Stay informed, spot early signs, and protect your sight with timely care!


What is the Cornea?

The cornea is the clear outer portion of our eye. It is the one that covers an iris (the colored portion that is visible to the naked eye) as well as its pupils (the dark center). Contrary to other tissues, the cornea does not have blood vessels, which makes it transparent and efficient at reflecting (bending) light to ensure clear vision.

What is cornea Key Functions of the Cornea:
  • Light Refraction: The cornea is responsible for about 65-75% the eye's power of focusing.
  • Protection: It protects against germs, dust and other harmful substances.
  • Structural Integrity: Keeps an eye's shape in sync by intraocular pressure.

What Are Corneal and External Eye Diseases?

External and corneal conditions are an array of conditions which affect the cornea and adjacent structures, conjunctiva, eyelids and the sclera (white portion of your eye).

They could be inflamatory, infectious, traumatic, or degenerative in nature. they require prompt care to avoid vision impairment.


Corneal Diseases:

Let’s discuss the Corneal diseases that affect the cornea directly.

1. Keratitis (Corneal Ulcer)

Keratitis or Corneal Ulcer is when the clear front part of your eye (cornea) gets inflamed or infected. It can feel like something is stuck in your eye and may cause pain or blurred vision.

Keratitis is corneal inflammation Symptoms:
  • Red, painful eyes
  • Blurry or hazy vision
  • Watery or sticky discharge
  • Light sensitivity
Causes:
  • Infections (bacterial, viral, fungal)
  • Wearing dirty or old contact lenses
  • Eye injury or foreign object
  • Swimming without goggles
Treatment at Save Sight Centre:

Do not use eye drops on your own and over the counter medicines, immediately contact your eye specialist.

  • Antibiotic, antifungal, or antiviral eye drops
  • Stop wearing contact lenses temporarily
  • Regular eye check-ups to monitor healing
Keratitis is corneal inflammation

2. Herpes Simplex Keratitis

This is a viral infection of the cornea caused by the herpes virus (the same one that causes cold sores). It can come back again and again, affecting your vision.

Symptoms:
  • Sharp eye pain
  • Redness
  • Pus or thick discharge
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Vision getting worse
Causes:
  • Bacterial or viral infections
  • Not cleaning contact lenses properly
  • Scratches or injuries to the eye
Treatment at Save Sight Centre:
  • Strong medicated drops (antibiotics or antivirals)
  • Pain relief medication
  • Minor surgical care for severe cases
Corneal ulcer

2. Herpes Simplex Keratitis

This is a viral infection of the cornea caused by the herpes virus (the same one that causes cold sores). It can come back again and again, affecting your vision.

Herpes simplex keratitis Symptoms:
  • Eye redness
  • Mild pain or irritation
  • Watery discharge
  • Blurred vision
Causes:
  • Herpes simplex virus (HSV-1)
  • Stress, low immunity, or illness can trigger reactivation
Treatment options:
  • Antiviral eye drops or oral medicine
  • Eye lubrication to ease discomfort
  • Regular eye checkups to prevent complications
Herpes simplex keratitis

3. Keratoconus

Keratoconus is a condition where your cornea slowly becomes thin and bulges outward in a cone shape, causing blurry and distorted vision. It usually starts in teenage years or early adulthood.

Keratoconus eye problem Symptoms:
  • Blurry or wavy vision
  • Increased sensitivity to light
  • Frequent changes in eyeglass power
  • Difficulty seeing clearly at night
  • Intolerance to Soft Contact Lenses
Causes:
  • Genetics
  • Constant eye rubbing
  • Allergies
Treatments Available:
  • Custom glasses or contact lenses
  • Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking (CXL) to strengthen the cornea
  • INTACS ring insertion
  • Corneal transplant if the condition is advanced
Keratoconus eye problem

External Eye Diseases

Let’s discuss the diseases that affect the outer parts of the eye such as conjunctiva, eyelids, or tear film:

4. Dry Eye Disease (Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca)

Dry Eye Disease happens when your eyes don’t make enough tears, or the tears dry up too quickly. This can cause discomfort, blurred vision, and a burning feeling.

Dry eye disease Symptoms:
  • Burning or stinging eyes
  • Feeling of dryness or grittiness
  • Red or tired eyes
  • Blurred vision, especially while reading or using screens
Causes:
  • Long screen time without blinking
  • Aging
  • Some medications or health conditions
  • Dry environment or pollution
Treatment:
  • Artificial tear drops and gels
  • Anti-inflammatory eye drops
  • Punctal plugs to keep tears in your eyes
  • Tips to improve blinking and eye comfort
Dry eye disease

5. Pterygium

Pterygium is a pink, triangle-shaped growth on the white part of your eye that may slowly move onto the cornea. It’s often harmless but can affect vision if it grows too much.

Pterygium Symptoms:
  • A visible growth on the eye
  • Irritation or burning
  • Redness
  • Blurred vision (in advanced cases)
Causes:
  • UV sun exposure
  • Wind, dust, and dry climate
  • Chronic dryness and irritation
Treatment options:
  • Lubricating drops to soothe the eyes
  • Anti-inflammatory medication
  • Surgery to remove the growth
  • Use of a graft to prevent regrowth
Pterygium

6. Allergic Conjunctivitis

It’s an allergic reaction in your eyes that causes itching, redness, and tearing. It usually happens during certain seasons or when exposed to allergens like dust or pollen.

Allergic conjunctivitis Symptoms:
  • Itchy, red eyes
  • Swollen eyelids
  • Watering or discharge
  • Burning sensation
Causes:
  • Pollen, dust, or pet hair
  • Pollution or smoke
  • Contact lens sensitivity
Treatments Available:
  • Anti-allergy eye drops
  • Lubricants to flush out allergens
  • Cold compress for swelling
  • Tips on avoiding triggers
Allergic conjunctivitis

7. Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS)

A rare but severe condition where the skin and mucous membranes, post allergy to systemic medication, including the eyes, become inflamed and form painful blisters. It can lead to serious eye damage if not treated early.

Steven johnson syndrome Symptoms:
  • Eye redness and pain
  • Blisters or sores on eyelids
  • Dry eyes
  • Vision loss in serious cases
Causes:
  • Allergic reaction to medications
  • Viral or bacterial infections
Treatment:
  • Special lubricating and healing drops
  • Amniotic membrane therapy
  • Surgery to repair eyelid or surface damage
  • Coordinated care with dermatologists
Steven johnson syndrome

8. Ocular Cicatricial Pemphigoid (OCP)

A rare autoimmune disease where the body attacks the mucous lining of the eyes, causing scarring. Over time, this can shrink the eye surface and affect eyelid function.

Ocular cicatricial pemphigoid Symptoms:
  • Red and irritated eyes
  • Dryness and discomfort
  • Scarring of the eyelids or conjunctiva
  • Progressive vision loss
Causes:
  • Autoimmune response (body attacking its own tissue)
Treatments Available:
  • Immunosuppressive medications (in coordination with specialists)
  • Eye drops for lubrication and inflammation
  • Eyelid correction surgeries if needed
  • Ongoing management to prevent worsening
Ocular cicatricial pemphigoid

When Should You Visit an Eye Specialist?

Your eyes are precious- and when something feels off, don’t wait it out. Early detection can save your vision. You should see an eye specialist immediately if you experience:

  • Ongoing redness or eye pain
  • Sudden changes in vision or blurry spots
  • Increased sensitivity to light
  • Injury to the eye or if something gets stuck in it
  • Frequent eye infections or non-healing ulcers

At Save Sight Centre, our specialists use some of the most advanced diagnostic tools to accurately detect eye conditions and tailor the treatment to your exact needs.

If your eyes feel uncomfortable or your vision isn’t what it used to be, don’t ignore the signs. Book a consultation today and take the first step towards clear, comfortable, and healthy vision.

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Diagnostic Tools We Use:

1.Slit-Lamp Examination – Offers a clear, magnified view of the cornea and surrounding tissues.

2.Corneal Topography – Maps the curvature of your cornea; ideal for diagnosing conditions like keratoconus.

3.Tear Film Break-Up Time (TBUT) – Measures how stable your tear film is, which is important in dry eye diagnosis.

4.OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) – Produces high-resolution images of corneal layers and nearby tissues.

5.Microbiological Testing – Helps identify bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites causing infections.


Preventive Tips for Healthy Cornea and Eye Surface

A little care goes a long way in keeping your eyes healthy. Here are some simple habits you can follow:

Tips to prevent corneal issues
  • Always clean and handle contact lenses properly- and never sleep with them unless your doctor advises it.
  • Wear UV-protective sunglasses when you're outdoors.
  • Reduce screen strain with the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
  • Avoid rubbing your eyes, especially with unwashed hands.
  • Drink plenty of water to keep your eyes naturally lubricated.
  • Use lubricating eye drops, especially in dry or windy environments.
  • Eat a balanced diet rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants to support eye health.

If you see any of the above symptoms, without delay, contact an eye specialist.


Advanced Corneal Treatments at Save Sight Centre

We offer a full range of advanced cornea and external eye treatments designed for comfort, precision, and long-term success:

  • Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking (C3R) – Strengthens the cornea for patients with keratoconus.
  • Therapeutic Contact Lenses – Helps in healing stubborn corneal ulcers or injuries.
  • Punctal Plugs – Tiny devices inserted to treat chronic dry eyes by keeping tears from draining too quickly.
  • Ocular Surface Reconstruction – Repairs damaged or scarred corneal surfaces.
  • Corneal Transplant (Keratoplasty) – Replaces damaged corneal tissue with healthy donor tissue using either penetrating or lamellar techniques.
Cornea treatment options

Why Choose Save Sight Centre?

  • Expertise You Can Trust: Led by Dr. Rajeev Jain, our team Dr. Shuchi Gupta and Dr. Ankit Malhotra bring decades of experience in treating even the most complex corneal conditions.
  • State-of-the-Art Facilities: From diagnostics to surgery, we use the most modern technology under one roof.
  • Personalized Care Approach: We treat each patient with individual attention, guidance, and complete support throughout their eye care journey.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  • 01.What are common corneal diseases?

    Keratitis, corneal ulcers, keratoconus, and Fuchs’ dystrophy are common.

  • 02.What are external eye diseases?

    They include conditions affecting the outer eye, like conjunctivitis, blepharitis, and styes.

  • 03.What symptoms should I watch out for?

    Redness, pain, blurry vision, tearing, and sensitivity to light.

  • 04.Can corneal diseases cause blindness?

    Yes, if untreated, they can lead to serious vision loss.

  • 05.How are these diseases diagnosed?

    Through eye exams like slit-lamp evaluation, corneal scans, and vision tests.

  • 06.What are the treatment options?

    Medications, eye drops, minor procedures, or corneal transplants, depending on the condition.

  • 07.How can I protect my eye health?

    Practice good hygiene, wear eye protection, and get regular check-ups.

  • 08.When should I see a doctor?

    If you notice pain, redness, blurred vision, or sudden changes in your eyesight.