Accessibility Toolbar

Bascom Palmer Eye Institute

About Corneal & External Diseases


What is the cornea?





What injuries and irregularities affect the cornea?


Occasionally, it may become necessary to perform a corneal transplant following cataract surgery, if bullous keratopathy occurs. Bullous keratopathy is a condition where the endothelial cells on the back of the cornea decrease in number after cataract surgery. However, this is less common today because of new techniques and improved lens design.

How can the cornea be damaged?


  • Chemical and thermal injuries
  • Pathological diseases such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome and pemphigoid
  • Chronic infections or inflammations
  • New tissue growths such as pterygium (thought to be related to sun damage) and tumors
  • Neurotrophic conditions (due to damage to the eye’s sensory nerves)
  • Rare hereditary conditions such as aniridia (congenital absence of the iris)

These problems can result in extensive damage on the eye surface, leading to new blood vessel formation and scarring —- damage which results in loss of vision.

Bascom Palmer researchers are evaluating the potential of normal tears for modulating and promoting the healing of these conditions. A full understanding of the exact role of tears in the healing process should lead to strategies that would speed visual recovery and increase the percentage of patients fully satisfied after surgery.