April 2025 Newsletter: Corneal Opacity

What is a Corneal Opacity?

A corneal opacity is a scar or cloudiness that forms on the cornea—the transparent, dome-shaped surface that covers the front of the eye. The cornea plays a major role in attracting light onto the retina, any disruption in its clarity can alter and negatively affect vision. The opacity can appear as a white or gray spot and its size varies. In severe cases, it can fully block out the light from entering the eye. 

Causes of Corneal Opacities

There are many reasons a cornea can become scarred or clouded, including:

• Eye infections, such as:

  • Trachoma (a major cause of blindness in developing countries)

  • Herpes simplex keratitis

  • Bacterial or fungal keratitis

• Injuries or trauma to the eye (e.g., from foreign objects, burns, or abrasions)

• Vitamin A deficiency (a serious problem in regions with poor nutrition)

• Congenital conditions (present at birth)

• Surgical complications

• Contact lens misuse or poor hygiene

Why Are Corneal Opacities a Concern?

The Cornea is critical for clear and focused vision. Any disruption in its transparency can worsen vision. Corneal opacities affect the physical clarity of the eye itself, an issue that cannot be solved by glasses or contact lenses that correct refraction errors. In children, the issue of untreated corneal conditions can also lead to amblyopia (lazy eye, covered in our August 2024 blog).

Symptoms

Symptoms depend on the severity of the opacity but may include:

• Blurred or distorted vision

• Eye pain or discomfort

• Redness or swelling

• Glare or halos around lights

• A visible white spot or gray spot on the eye

Treatment Options

• Mild Cases:

• Antibiotic or antiviral eye drops (to treat infections)

• Anti-inflammatory medication

• Lubricating eye drops for symptom relief

• Severe Cases:

  • Laser treatment (such as phototherapeutic keratectomy, PTK)

  • Corneal transplant (partial or full-thickness, depending on damage)

  • Amniotic membrane grafts (for healing and reducing scarring)

    
    

Prevention is Key!

Practice good hygiene with contact lenses and wear protective eyewear during activities that risk eye injury.

Corneal Opacities like other eye conditions are not commonly known, however they affect a great amount of people. It is key to learn and spread information about eye conditions so that the amount of people suffering from eye conditions becomes less and less.