Corneal dystrophies are a group of rare genetic eye disorders. Because they are a genetic disorder, corneal dystrophies run in families. There are many different types of corneal dystrophies but they all cause a buildup of foreign material in the cornea. The foreign material may develop in one or more of the individual layers that make up the cornea. In most cases of corneal dystrophies, both eyes are affected. 

Corneal dystrophies tend to develop slowly over the years. Some people may not show any symptoms, while in others, the cornea will become cloudy, leading to blurry or loss of vision. Other symptoms include corneal erosions, watery eyes, and sensitivity to light.

Treatment for corneal dystrophies will vary based on the type as well as severity of the disease. If there are no symptoms, then it may only require monitoring to observe any changes. If the disease progresses, eye drops or ointments may be needed. For persistent corneal erosion, other treatment options include specialty contact lenses, cornea scraping, and laser therapy. In severe cases, corneal transplant surgery, DSEK, or DMEK may be recommended.

Corneal edema is the excess buildup of fluid in the cornea which leads to swelling of the cornea. If corneal edema is left untreated, it can cause cloudy, blurry vision, haloes around light, and eye pain. Corneal edema can occur as a result of trauma to the eye, having cataract surgery, using certain medications, or increased eye pressure. Depending on the cause and severity of corneal edema, treatment options can range from eye drops and ointments to corneal transplant surgery.

Keratoconus is an eye disorder in which the normally round cornea is irregularly shaped like a cone. This causes the light entering the eye to be focused incorrectly and vision becomes distorted. People diagnosed with keratoconus may experience blurry, distorted vision, sensitivity to light, and glare. As it progresses, increased nearsightedness or astigmatism may also occur. The exact cause of keratoconus is not known but it often develops as a teenager or young adult. Risk factors of keratoconus may include family history of keratoconus, eye rubbing, and certain conditions such as Down syndrome. To treat keratoconus in the early stages, glasses and soft contact lenses can help correct vision. If glasses and soft contact lenses no longer provide adequate vision correction, other specialty contact lenses such as rigid gas permeable, hybrid, and scleral contact lenses may be used. For advanced keratoconus, other treatment options include corneal collagen crosslinking, Intacs (corneal inserts), and corneal transplant surgery.

Pterygium is a benign growth that forms on the white of the eye. It is often called surfer's eye because it affects those who spend a lot of time in the sun. It typically starts to develop on the side of the eye closest to the nose and spreads to the pupil area. Often, the pterygium may be mild and there will be no symptoms. In other cases, symptoms of pterygium can include:

• Feeling like something is in your eye
• Red, irritated eye
• Burning sensation
• Itchy eye
• Gritty sensation

The main cause of pterygium is long-term exposure to UV light. Therefore, it is important to wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the damaging effects of UV light. Other causes of pterygium include exposure to dusty and windy environments. If the pterygium is mild, treatment is typically not necessary and may only require monitoring by your eye doctor. Lubricating eye drops may be used to help relieve irritation. If the pterygium grows larger and begins to interfere with your vision, your ophthalmologist may recommend it be surgically removed.