Understanding Corneal Edema: Causes, Symptoms, and Management

Explore Over 11,000+ Conditions, Medications, and Symptoms.

Get a personalized feed by signing up for free.

All Conditions

Corneal Edema

by Alike Medical Team ∙ Updated on June 13, 2023

Additional names

This group contains additional names: - Corneal Edema - Secondary Corneal Edema - Idiopathic Corneal Edema

General

Corneal edema refers to the swelling of the cornea (the clear, dome-shaped outer surface of the eye that helps to see clearly.) This condition is caused by a buildup of fluid in the cornea. When left untreated, corneal edema can lead to cloudy vision.

4 people with Corneal Edema are on Alike.

"Alike is the place to get answers from people who firsthand share your health challenges"

Signs & symptoms

A buildup of fluid in the cornea causes vision to blur and cloud. These effects are at their worst when first waking up in the morning but will fade throughout the day as the cornea dries from the eyes being open. Other symptoms of corneal edema may include: Rings or halos around light sources Pain in the eye The feeling of something stuck in the eye

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of corneal edema may include an Ophtalagist examination to look for scars or cloudiness on the cornea. The examination may also include the measurement of the thickness of the cornea by using a device called a pachymeter.

Treatment

Mild cases of corneal edema may not need any treatment. If there is swelling, the ophthalmologist may recommend saline eye drops. Suppose swelling becomes severe enough to cause significant vision issues. In that case, surgery may be required to replace the cornea with a corneal transplant, or DESK surgery, which replaces just the endothelial layer.

Note

☝ We provide information on prescription and over-the-counter medicines, diagnosis, procedures and lab tests. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

National Institutes of Health ∙ World Health Organization ∙ MedlinePluse ∙ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

☝ All information has been reviewed by certified physicians from Alike

Latest Discussions

savyj

Tips for Coping with Severe Photosensitivity in the Eye

Cloud2

Looking for advice on cornea transplant

savyj

Dealing with Extreme Photosensitivity

Adanus

Low Testosterone Levels at Age 55

Alike Wisdom

Instantly get answers to medical questions with our AI, built from the collective wisdom of our community facing similar experiences