The cornea covers the iris and the pupil and accounts for approximately two-thirds of the eye’s total focusing power. If the cornea becomes infected, injured, or extremely irritated, an open sore may form, which is referred to as a corneal ulcer.

A corneal ulcer usually results from an eye infection, either bacterial, viral, or fungal. Improper use of contact lenses or scratches on the eye can lead to bacterial and fungal infections that then evolve into corneal ulcers. In addition, severe dry eye syndrome or an eyelid disorder that prevents proper eyelid function and causes the cornea to dry out can also cause open sores. (more…)

The cornea is the transparent, dome-shaped window on the front of your eye that covers the iris and pupil. Its main purpose is to refract light. It also contributes approximately two-thirds of the eye’s total focusing power, even though its focus is fixed. The cornea consists of three layers:

1. The stroma, which makes up most of the cornea.
2. The epithelium, consisting of several layers of cells covering the exterior of the stroma.
3. The endothelium, which is a single layer of cells lining the interior of the stroma.

Cataracts are usually the condition that’s familiar to most people when they think of eye problems. However, cataracts technically affect not the cornea but the eye’s crystalline lens, which is just behind the pupil and works with the cornea to focus light on the retina. Regardless, the cornea is susceptible to a number of other conditions, including: (more…)