Home / Cornea / Understanding the Cornea
Patient education · Cornea health
The Cornea & Common Corneal Conditions in Fort Worth & Colleyville, TX
Your cornea is the clear front window of your eye, and it does most of the work of focusing light. Learn how it works, what can go wrong, and when to see fellowship-trained cornea specialist Dr. David Truong in Fort Worth or Colleyville.
The short answer
What is the cornea?
The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped tissue that covers the front of the eye. It protects the eye and bends incoming light, providing about two-thirds of the eye’s focusing power. Because it must stay perfectly clear and smoothly curved, swelling, scarring, thinning, or infection of the cornea can blur your vision quickly.
At Azure Eye Center, Dr. Truong diagnoses and treats corneal conditions for patients from Fort Worth, Colleyville, Keller, and across the DFW Metroplex.
Anatomy
What are the layers of the cornea?
The cornea is only about half a millimeter thick, yet it is built from five distinct layers. Each one has a different job, and each can be affected by different conditions.
- ✓Epithelium. The outer protective layer. It blocks dust and germs and heals quickly after minor scratches.
- ✓Bowman’s layer. A tough, clear sheet just beneath the epithelium. Damage here can leave a scar.
- ✓Stroma. The thickest layer, made mostly of water and collagen. It gives the cornea its strength and shape.
- ✓Descemet’s membrane. A thin, strong layer that supports the endothelium.
- ✓Endothelium. The innermost layer of cells. It pumps fluid out of the cornea to keep it clear, and these cells do not regrow when lost.
Symptoms
What are the symptoms of a corneal problem?
Corneal conditions often cause discomfort as well as blurry vision. Common warning signs include:
- ✓Eye pain or a scratchy, foreign-body feeling
- ✓Sensitivity to light
- ✓Excessive tearing or discharge
- ✓Redness that does not go away
- ✓Blurred, hazy, or fluctuating vision
- ✓Glare, halos, or increasing astigmatism
Urgent symptoms
When to call right away
Sudden eye pain, light sensitivity, redness with discharge, or a drop in vision can signal an infection or injury that needs same-day care, especially if you wear contact lenses. Remove your contacts and call (817) 886-4600.
Call (817) 886-4600Conditions
Common corneal conditions treated at Azure Eye Center
Dr. Truong treats the full range of corneal disease, from early keratoconus to corneal transplant.
Keratoconus
The cornea thins and bulges into a cone shape, distorting vision and increasing astigmatism.
Keratoconus →Fuchs’ dystrophy
An inherited condition in which endothelial cells fail and the cornea swells, causing blurry morning vision.
Fuchs’ dystrophy →Keratitis
Inflammation of the cornea, often from infection, injury, or contact lens overwear. It needs prompt care.
Keratitis →Pterygium
A benign, wedge-shaped growth linked to UV exposure that can extend onto the cornea.
Pterygium →Corneal scarring
Scars from injury, infection, or past surgery can block or distort light entering the eye.
Advanced corneal treatments →Corneal transplant
Partial-thickness transplants such as DMEK and DSEK replace only the damaged layer of the cornea.
DMEK and DSEK →Treatment
How are corneal conditions treated?
Treatment depends on which layer is affected and how much it changes your vision. Many patients never need surgery.
| Condition | What happens | Common treatments |
|---|---|---|
| Keratoconus | The cornea thins and bulges into a cone | Glasses or specialty contact lenses; corneal cross-linking to slow progression; transplant in advanced cases |
| Fuchs’ dystrophy | Endothelial cells fail and the cornea swells | Drops or ointments to reduce swelling; DMEK or DSEK partial transplant |
| Keratitis | Inflammation, often from infection | Antibacterial, antifungal, or antiviral medicine, started quickly |
| Pterygium | Tissue grows from the white of the eye onto the cornea | Lubricating drops and UV protection; surgical removal if it grows or affects vision |
| Corneal scarring | A scar blocks or distorts light | Laser treatment or corneal transplant, depending on the depth of the scar |
Diagnosis
How does a cornea specialist diagnose these conditions?
Your visit starts with a detailed look at the cornea under a slit-lamp microscope, which shows each layer in high magnification. Depending on your symptoms, Dr. Truong may also measure the shape and thickness of your cornea to track conditions such as keratoconus and corneal swelling over time.
Catching changes early matters. Keratoconus, for example, can often be slowed with cross-linking before it progresses, and infections respond best when treatment starts quickly.
Your specialist
Why see a fellowship-trained cornea specialist?
Dr. David Truong is a board-certified ophthalmologist who completed fellowship training in cornea and refractive surgery at UCLA’s Jules Stein Eye Institute after his ophthalmology residency at UT Southwestern. He founded Azure Eye Center and serves as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at UT Southwestern.
- ✓Medical and surgical care for corneal disease in one practice.
- ✓Partial-thickness transplants including DMEK and DSEK for Fuchs’ dystrophy and corneal swelling.
- ✓Corneal cross-linking to help stabilize keratoconus.
- ✓Two offices in Fort Worth (Alliance) and Colleyville, close to Keller, Southlake, and North Richland Hills.
Two locations
Cornea care near you in Fort Worth and Colleyville
Consultations and follow-up visits are available at both offices, with Dr. Truong and optometrist Dr. Samantha Reynolds. Both offices are open Monday–Thursday 8:00 am–5:00 pm and Friday 8:00 am–3:00 pm.
(817) 886-4600
(817) 886-4600
Coming from Keller or Southlake? See eye surgery for Keller and Southlake patients.
FAQ
Cornea and corneal condition FAQs
What does the cornea do?
The cornea protects the front of the eye and focuses light. It provides about two-thirds of the eye’s focusing power, so even small changes in its clarity or shape can blur your vision.
What are the most common corneal conditions?
Common corneal conditions include keratoconus, Fuchs’ dystrophy, keratitis, pterygium, and scarring from injury or infection. Each affects a different part of the cornea and is treated differently.
Can a damaged cornea heal on its own?
Sometimes. The outer epithelium usually heals within days after a minor scratch, but deeper scars do not fully clear and lost endothelial cells do not grow back, so those problems may need medical treatment or a transplant.
When should I see a doctor for eye pain or redness?
See a doctor the same day if you have eye pain, light sensitivity, discharge, or a sudden drop in vision, especially if you wear contact lenses. These can be signs of keratitis, which can damage the cornea if treatment is delayed.
What is a cornea specialist?
A cornea specialist is an ophthalmologist with additional fellowship training in diseases and surgery of the cornea. Dr. David Truong completed his cornea and refractive surgery fellowship at UCLA’s Jules Stein Eye Institute.
Do all corneal conditions require a transplant?
No. Many corneal conditions are managed with eye drops, medications, specialty contact lenses, or cross-linking. A transplant is reserved for cases where the cornea can no longer stay clear or keep its shape.
Where can I see a cornea specialist near me in Fort Worth or Keller?
At Azure Eye Center, with offices in Fort Worth (Alliance) at 3900 N Tarrant Pkwy and in Colleyville at 5203 Heritage Avenue. Patients come from Keller, Southlake, Grapevine, and North Richland Hills. Call (817) 886-4600.
Related pages
Have a corneal concern? See a specialist.
Schedule an exam with Dr. Truong in Fort Worth or Colleyville for a clear diagnosis and a treatment plan for your cornea.
This page is for general education and is not medical advice. Candidacy, treatment options, risks, and results vary by patient and are determined at an in-person exam with your eye doctor.