Corneal swelling, or edema, happens when your eyes aren’t able to pump out enough fluid, causing fluid to back up. You may have blurred vision or eye discomfort. Your provider may suggest medications or surgery.
Corneal edema is swelling in your cornea that can happen after an injury or an infection. It can also happen because of inflammation after eye surgery, including cataract surgery, or due to inherited conditions. Whatever the cause, the swelling happens after fluid builds up in your cornea.
If you have corneal swelling, you may have problems with your vision. Your cornea — the clear, dome-shaped outer layer of your eye — helps you see clearly.
Your cornea has an inner layer of cells called the endothelium. The endothelium is responsible for pumping fluid out of your cornea, which helps maintain a certain level of hydration at all times.
Damage to the endothelium affects the pumping process. Fluid that should leave your cornea stays there because the endothelium stops working properly, causing swelling.
If you have corneal edema, you could develop folds or even breaks in a tissue called Descemet’s membrane. This membrane is part of a layer of the cornea and works to keep the cornea clear. It’s an important part of the structure of the cornea and helps to maintain stability.
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If you have corneal swelling, your symptoms may be worse when you wake up because your eyes are closed while you sleep, keeping fluid in. Signs and symptoms of corneal edema may include:
Generally, causes of corneal edema include issues with your endothelium, injuries and inflammation. In some cases, a provider can’t find a cause, which means you have idiopathic corneal edema.
Corneal diseases and other conditions can cause your cornea to retain fluid.
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To diagnose swelling of your cornea, an eye care specialist will first ask you questions about your symptoms and medical history. They’ll give you a complete eye exam and use magnifying equipment to be able to see your cornea.
A provider may also measure the thickness of your cornea using a test called pachymetry. They may also use ultrasound to assess your eyes.
Another test you may have is optical coherence tomography of the anterior segment of your eye, which is the part of the eye that contains your cornea. This type of test uses reflected light to assess your eye health. It’s not invasive.
A healthcare provider will treat corneal edema and any condition that’s causing or contributing to the swelling. In some mild cases, corneal edema can resolve on its own.
Your provider may recommend topical items (applied directly to your eye) or other forms of medications, like pills or shots, including:
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You may be able to reduce your risk of corneal edema by taking care to protect your eyes while working or participating in sports. Wear protective gear while riding a motorcycle or bike and while working.
Getting regular eye exams as recommended by a provider can help you find issues early.
Managing health conditions can help, especially if they’re conditions that can cause corneal edema.
Follow your provider’s instructions on how to clean your contact lenses and how long you should wear them.
The prognosis (outlook) for most cases of corneal edema is generally good if you get treatment for the edema and the underlying conditions.
Contact a healthcare provider if you have symptoms that affect your vision or that cause discomfort or pain.
If you have an eye condition, follow the suggestions of your eye care provider on how often to make appointments and how to take your medications.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Corneal edema, or corneal swelling, can be quite uncomfortable. If your eyes hurt or if you’ve had eye surgery, contact your eye care provider. You may have another condition that needs treatment. Getting medical help early is likely to bring the best results. Your vision is important to you and to your healthcare team members.
Last reviewed on 08/18/2023.
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy