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Corneal Disease Center - Rapid City, SD

Rapid City Eye Doctor Doctors for Corneal Disease

Type of Physician: Eye Doctor

What is a Eye Doctor?

A certification by the Board of Ophthalmology; practitioners provide comprehensive eye and vision care. They are trained to diagnose, monitor and medically or surgically treat all eyelid and orbital problems affecting the eye and visual pathways, and to diagnose, monitor and treat all eye and visual disorders. They often prescribe vision services (glasses and contact lenses) as well as serve as a consultant to physicians and other professionals.

Specialty: Ophthalmology

Common Name: Eye Doctor

Eye Doctor Doctors in Rapid City *

Eccarius Eye Clinic
Scott G Eccarius
631 St Anne St
STE 103
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 343-4120

Rapid City Medical Center
Gail Bernard
2820 Mt Rushmore Rd
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 342-3280

Rapid City Medical Center
John J Herlihy
2820 Mt Rushmore Rd
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 342-3280

Black Hills Regional Eye Institute LLP
Prema Abraham
2800 3rd St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 341-2000

Black Hills Regional Eye Institute LLP
Monte S Dirks
2800 3rd St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 341-2000

Black Hills Regional Eye Institute LLP
Daniel J Hafner
2800 3rd St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 341-2000

Black Hills Regional Eye Institute LLP
Timothy P Minton
2800 3rd St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 341-2000

Black Hills Regional Eye Institute LLP
Robert Nixon
2800 3rd St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 341-2000

Black Hills Regional Eye Institute LLP
Paul L Zimmerman
2800 3rd St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 341-2000

Rapid City, South Dakota

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Corneal Disease

Introduction

If your cornea becomes damaged through disease, infection, or injury, the resulting scars can interfere with vision by blocking or distorting light as it enters the eye.

The cornea is the clear, protective outer layer of the eye. Along with the sclera (white of the eye), it serves as a barrier against dirt, germs, and other particles that can harm the eye's delicate components. The cornea is also capable of filtering out some amounts of the sun's ultraviolet light.

The cornea also plays a key role in vision. As light enters the eye, it is refracted, or bent, by the outside shape of the cornea. The curvature of this outer layer helps determine how well your eye can focus on objects close-up and far away.

There are three main layers of the cornea:

  • Epithelium: The most superficial layer of the cornea, the epithelium stops outside matter from entering the eye. This layer of the cornea also absorbs oxygen and nutrients from tears.
  • Stroma: The stroma is the largest layer of the cornea and is found behind the epithelium. It is made up mostly of water and proteins that give it an elastic but solid form.
  • Endothelium: The endothelium is a single layer of cells located between the stroma and the aqueous humor - the clear fluid found in the front and rear chambers of the eye. The endothelium works as a pump, expelling excess water as it is absorbed into the stroma. Without this specialized function, the stroma could become water logged, hazy and opaque in appearance, also reducing vision.

The term "corneal disease" refers to a variety of conditions that affect mainly the cornea. These include infections, degenerations, and many other disorders of the cornea that may arise mostly as a result of heredity.

What Are Symptoms When Something is Wrong With the Cornea?

With its ability for quick repair, the cor...

Recommended Reading Related to Corneal Disease

Eye Care »

What is the structure of the eye?

The eyes are complex sensory organs. About 85% of the total sensory input to our brains originates from our sense of sight, while the other 15% comes from the other four senses of hearing, smell, touch, and taste. The eyes are designed to optimize vision under conditions of varying light. Their location, on the outside of the face, makes them susceptible to trauma, environmental chemicals and particles, and infectious agents. The eyelids and the position of the eye within the bony orbital cavity are the major protective mechanism for the eye.

The eye itself has the shape of a sphere measuring about 1 inch in diameter. It consists of a clear, transparent dome at the front (the cornea) that is surrounded by the white of the eyeball (the sclera). The iris of the eye is the circular, colored portion within the eye, and behind the cornea, and the pupil is the central opening within the iris. Behind the iris and pupil is the e...

Emergency Contact for Rapid City

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Rapid City Hospitals *

Regional West Center for Behavioral Health
915 Mountain View Rd
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605)719-7200

Rapid City Regional Hospital
353 Fairmont Blvd
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605)719-1000

Black Hills Rehabilitation Hospital
2908 5th St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605)719-1100

Rapid City Indian Health Service Hospital
3200 Canyon Lake Dr
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605)355-2500

Sturgis Community Health Care Center
949 Harmon St
Sturgis, SD 57785
(605)347-2536

VA Black Hills Health Care System Fort Meade
113 Comanche Rd
Fort Meade, SD 57741
(605)347-2511

Custer Community Hospital
1039 Montgomery St
Custer, SD 57730
(605)673-2229

Northern Hills General Hospital
61 Charles St
Deadwood, SD 57732
(605)578-2313

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