How to Keep Your Corneas Healthy

From reading to driving to watching screens, your eyes work hard every day. When they start to feel irritated, it can be difficult to determine whether your eyes are simply dry, or if there’s a more serious problem.

“Most eye problems are treatable, especially when caught early,” says Columbia ophthalmologist Jerry Hsu, MD. “Protecting your vision with good eye hygiene is key to seeing the world clearly—and comfortably—for many years to come.”

Dr. Hsu explains how to keep our corneas healthy, problems related to contact lens wear, and what to do if an infection occurs.

What is the cornea?

The cornea is the clear, curved window at the front of your eye that helps focus light, enabling you to see clearly. Because it’s directly exposed to air, water, and bacteria, it is also one of the most vulnerable parts of your eye.

What are common problems with the cornea?

Many people experience eye dryness and irritation from daily activities, such as reading, driving, or using screens; we tend to blink less when we focus using our eyes, which can cause dryness.

“If your eyes feel tired, itchy, painful, or dry, everything may appear blurry. Your ophthalmologist can recommend ways to alleviate these symptoms,” says Dr. Hsu, who adds the following habits can help:

• Remove contact lenses for as long as you need, whether it is for a few hours or even days
• Take a break from any tasks that require intense use of your eyes
• Use over-the-counter artificial tears

What are safe habits for wearing contact lenses?

Everyday irritations can be amplified by contact lenses. Dr. Hsu recommends a few simple practices for keeping your eyes healthy while wearing contacts, including:

• Keep your contact lenses clean and use them only for as long as they are indicated
• Never sleep in your contact lenses—even if it’s only for a short time
• If your eyes feel irritated, take out your contact lenses
• Schedule regular eye exams—even if your vision seems fine
• Never shower or bathe while wearing contact lenses

What is a corneal infection?

While everyday exposures are often the cause of eye irritation, there could be a more serious underlying problem.

One possible issue is a corneal infection, which occurs when germs—most commonly bacteria, but occasionally viruses, fungi, or parasites—enter the cornea. One common cause is wearing contacts for too long or without proper cleaning, or wearing them in contaminated water, such as lakes or hot tubs.

“While your cornea is normally able to defend against these infections, improper contact lens wear may deprive your cornea of oxygen or lead to scratches on your cornea, which can make you prone to an infection,” Dr. Hsu explains.

What are corneal infection symptoms?

If left untreated, the infection can lead to vision loss or scarring; therefore, it is essential to recognize the symptoms, which include:

• Uncomfortable or painful eyes
• Red eyes
• Excessive tearing
• Discharge
• Blurry or cloudy vision

“There are eyedrop treatments that can help alleviate these symptoms, but because it can be difficult to distinguish between dryness, inflammation, and infection over the phone, it’s important to be seen in person by an eye doctor for an exam,” Dr. Hsu says.

What are symptoms of urgent eye problems?

In general, when it comes to eye problems, never hesitate to see an eye doctor, if you have:

• Sudden or severe eye pain
• Vision changes or loss
• Sensitivity to light
• Persistent redness
• A history of eye injury or contact lens issues

Such symptoms could indicate a serious problem requiring medical attention.

Jerry Hsu, MD, MS, is an assistant professor of ophthalmology at Columbia, where he specializes in the medical and surgical management of corneal and external diseases, as well as cataract and refractive surgery.