The cornea is the clear outer layer at the front of the eye. The cornea helps your eye to focus light so you can see clearly. There are a variety of conditions that affect the cornea, and this can lead to eye pain, blurry vision, red eyes, or watery eyes.

Dr. Jhaj specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of corneal diseases that can affect your ocular health.

These include:

Pterygium: This is a fleshy tissue that grows over the cornea that makes the cornea appear white. Pterygiums can cause significant astigmatism resulting in blurred vision, tearing, dryness, and permanent scarring if not properly managed. Surgery to remove the excess tissue growth is often indicated if pterygiums are causing symptoms.

Keratitis: Keratitis is inflammation (redness and swelling) of the cornea. This can occur due to infections, chronic irritation, chemicals, or injuries to the eye. This can lead to permanent damage and scarring of the cornea.

Infections and corneal ulcers: Infections and/or ulcers are one of the most urgent issues pertaining to the cornea and require immediate attention. Infections can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. A corneal ulcer is an open sore in the outer layer of the cornea, and it occurs when infections are not treated promptly. Patients will have significant pain, redness, and blurry vision.

Corneal dystrophies: Corneal dystrophies are genetic, often progressive, eye disorders in which abnormal material often accumulates in the cornea. Corneal dystrophies may not cause symptoms in some individuals, while in others they may cause significant vision impairment.

Injuries and foreign bodies: Any injury to the cornea or a foreign object that gets into the eye (such as metal, plants, or other debris) can cause significant irritation, redness, and tearing to the eye. These injuries can range from superficial scratches to full thickness injuries. Promptly addressing any injury or foreign body removal is imperative as this can lead to infections and/or decrease in vision.

Abrasions: A corneal abrasion is a superficial scratch on the outer layer of the cornea. Your cornea can be scratched by contact with dust, dirt, sand, wood shavings, metal particles, contact lenses or even the edge of a piece of paper. People often describe a burning sensation or feeling like there is constant sand in the eye.