Eye Care
Corneal Disorders
Using the latest minimally invasive eye surgery techniques, we treat even the most challenging corneal conditions and infections.
Medically reviewed by Mathew Margolis, M.D. on Feb. 24, 2026.
Advanced Treatments for Your Corneal Disorder
At UC Davis Health, you can meet with specialists in our cornea and external disease service. We use the most advanced equipment and techniques to diagnose your corneal condition and restore your vision.
On this page
Types of Cornea Conditions
Your cornea covers the front of your eye. It protects the rest of your eye and helps your eye focus. Corneal disorders may affect just your cornea or your cornea and other parts of your eye.
Common corneal conditions include:
Fuchs’ Dystrophy
A genetic condition where the innermost layer of the cornea (the endothelium) fails, leading to swelling and cloudy vision that’s often worse in the morning.
Bullous Keratopathy
A condition that causes swelling and blisters on your cornea, most often after surgery or ocular trauma.
Corneal Edema
This condition is swelling of the cornea for any reason including those listed above as well as many others which would need a transplant (such as PKP, DSAEK, DMEK, DALK).
Corneal Dystrophies
A group of disorders where proteins or other materials build up in your cornea.
Corneal ectasia
A group of disorders where your cornea bulges out due to genetics (keratoconus, keratoglobus, pellucid marginal degeneration) or as a complication of laser/refractive eye surgery.
Dry eye syndrome
A condition where your eyes do not produce enough tears to keep your corneas moist.
Keratitis
This condition is an Infection or inflammation in your cornea.
Pterygium
A pink triangular growth on your cornea impacting vision and/or comfort.
Corneal Disorder Symptoms
Symptoms depend on which corneal disorder you have. Your symptoms may be mild or severe. Or, you may not have any symptoms.
Common Symptoms
Corneal condition symptoms may include:
- Blurry vision
- Eye pain
- Gritty sensation in your eye
- Light sensitivity
- Watery eyes
- Worsening vision
Emergency Symptoms
Get medical attention right away if you experience:
- Severe eye pain
- Sudden vision changes
Causes of Corneal Disorders
Different types of cornea conditions have different causes. Some causes include:
DNA Changes
Some corneal conditions, such as certain corneal dystrophies, are genetic.
Infections
Bacterial, fungal or viral infections may affect your cornea.
Injuries
Your cornea can become injured or scratched due to accidents, debris getting in your eyes or rubbing your eyes.
Existing Conditions
Certain conditions can cause cornea problems. Examples include the shingles virus and Stevens-Johnson syndrome, a skin disorder that may affect your eyes. Herpes infection of the eye (ocular herpes simplex – the cold sore virus) also can affect your cornea.
Sun Exposure
Ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun causes pterygium.
Cornea Disease Risk Factors
There are several factors that raise your risk for developing cornea conditions, including:
Allergies
Allergies can irritate your corneas. Rubbing itchy eyes increases your risk of cornea damage, infection and inflammation.
Weak Immune System
When your immune system is weak, your body has more difficulty fighting infections.
Wearing Contact Lenses
Wearing contacts longer than you’re supposed to or not cleaning and storing them properly raises your risk of corneal diseases.
Diagnosing Corneal Conditions
At the UC Davis Health Eye Center, we use the most advanced equipment and techniques for diagnosing corneal diseases.
Diagnosis begins with a highly specialized eye exam. Our exams are more comprehensive than standard eye exams and may take up to five hours.
During your exam, a team of eye specialists will check your vision and inspect different parts of your eyes. You will get special tests and scans that aren’t available with standard eye exams.
We have the only full-time ocular pathology lab in the region, which specializes in complex corneal problems. Our lab uses innovative diagnostic techniques and delivers results quickly so you can get the right treatment.
Corneal Disorder Treatments at UC Davis Health
At the UC Davis Health Eye Center, we treat all types of corneal conditions, from simple to complex. If you need surgery, we offer innovative and minimally invasive techniques.
Our cornea and external disease specialists perform highly specialized, delicate procedures to restore your vision and eye health.
Your treatment depends on the type of corneal condition you have. You may need more than one type of treatment.
Descemet’s Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSAEK) and Descement Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasy (DMEK)
These techniques are minimally invasive surgery for transplanting healthy cells into the damaged inner layer of your cornea. Healing is faster, and results are better than with older techniques.
Eye Drops or Ointment
You may need drops or ointment to combat an infection, increase moisture or reduce inflammation.
Femtosecond Laser Surgery
The Femtosecond Laser Surgery technique uses a laser instead of a blade for corneal surgery.
Keratoplasty
Keratoplasty techniques are surgical procedures for repairing or replacing a damaged cornea with a donor cornea.
Medications
Medications such as antivirals help treat infections.
Soft Contact Lenses
You may need to wear a soft contact lens to protect your cornea as it heals.
Preventing Corneal Diseases and Disorders
It is not possible to prevent some types of corneal disorders. But you can take steps to prevent some types of corneal injuries and infections:
- Wear safety glasses when using chemicals, operating machinery, using tools, playing sports and doing yard work.
- Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from UV light.
- Avoid rubbing your eyes.
- Clean and store contact lenses properly.
Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy affects about
7%Of adults worldwide
Corneal transplants
49K+In the U.S. in 2022
Sources: Review of Optometry: Global Prevalence of Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy Pinpointed
Eye Bank Association of America: Statistical Report
Request an Appointment
As Sacramento's No. 1 hospital, you'll benefit from unique advantages in primary care and specialty care. This includes prevention, diagnosis and treatment options from experts in 150 specialties.
Referring Physicians
To refer a patient, submit an electronic referral form or call.
Patients
Call to make an appointment.
Consumer Resource Center
Awards and Recognitions
Ranked among the nation’s best hospitals
A U.S. News & World Report best hospital in cardiology, heart & vascular surgery, diabetes & endocrinology, ENT, geriatrics, neurology & neurosurgery, and pulmonology & lung surgery.
Ranked among the nation’s best children’s hospitals
U.S. News & World Report ranked UC Davis Children’s Hospital among the best in pediatric nephrology, orthopedics*, and pulmonology & lung surgery. (*Together with Shriners Children’s Northern California)
Ranked Sacramento’s #1 hospital
Ranked Sacramento’s #1 hospital by U.S. News, and high-performing in aortic valve surgery, back surgery (spinal fusion), COPD, colon cancer surgery, diabetes, gynecological cancer surgery, heart arrhythmia, heart failure, kidney failure, leukemia, lymphoma & myeloma, lung cancer surgery, pacemaker implantation, pneumonia, prostate cancer surgery, stroke, TAVR, cancer, orthopedics, gastroenterology & GI surgery, and urology.
The nation’s highest nursing honor
UC Davis Medical Center has received Magnet® recognition, the nation’s highest honor for nursing excellence.
World-class cancer care
One of ~59 U.S. cancer centers designated “comprehensive” by the National Cancer Institute.
A leader in health care equality
For the 13th consecutive year, UC Davis Medical Center has been recognized as an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader by the educational arm of America’s largest civil rights organization.
Latest Eye Health News
