Cornea & Conjunctiva page heroCornea & Conjunctiva page hero
Cornea

The transparent, dome-shaped tissue at the front of the eye —
the part that appears as the
‘black pupil’.
It refracts light onto the retina to form a clear image,
and any damage can lead to reduced vision.

Conjunctiva

The thin, transparent mucous membrane that
covers the white of the eye
and inner eyelids.
It is the first tissue exposed to external irritants,
bacteria and allergens,
making inflammation and redness common.

Both tissues sit on the eye surface and
directly affect each other.
Symptoms can look similar but the causes differ,
so an accurate diagnosis is essential.

Cornea

The transparent, dome-shaped tissue at the front of the eye —
the part that appears as the
‘black pupil’.
It refracts light onto the retina to form a clear image,
and any damage can lead to reduced vision.

Conjunctiva

The thin, transparent mucous membrane that
covers the white of the eye
and inner eyelids.
It is the first tissue exposed to external irritants,
bacteria and allergens,
making inflammation and redness common.

If your eyes are red, bloodshot,
or feel like something is stuck in them,
cornea or conjunctiva conditions may be the cause.

The cornea and conjunctiva are the frontmost
tissues covering the eye surface.
Because they are directly exposed to irritants,
bacteria and viruses, many conditions can develop.
Gwangju Shinsegae Eye Clinic provides
accurate diagnosis and fast, effective treatment.

Cornea & Conjunctiva Checklist

Have you been ignoring symptoms like these?

If any of the symptoms above apply to you, a cornea or conjunctiva condition may be present.
Left untreated, it can progress to reduced vision or a chronic condition — early examination is recommended.

  • My eyes turn red frequently for no clear reason
  • I feel a gritty, sand-like sensation in my eye
  • I produce more tears or discharge than usual
  • Light feels harsh and stings my eyes
  • My vision looks blurry
  • My eyelids feel swollen and itchy
  • A white or yellow bump has appeared on the white of my eye
  • Tissue is growing from the white toward the iris
  • A bright red blood patch suddenly appeared on the white of my eye
  • My eyes itch and become severely bloodshot every spring and autumn
Keratitis

Keratitis

Inflammation of the cornea caused by bacterial,
viral or fungal infection.
It is especially common in contact lens wearers,
those with reduced immunity, or after eye trauma.
If treatment is delayed, scarring (opacity) may
remain and cause permanent vision loss.

Cornea & Conjunctiva Treatment

Why choose Gwangju Shinsegae Eye Clinic?

01·04
STEP 1

Precise diagnostic differentiation

There are more than ten possible causes of red eyes.
Bacterial, viral or allergic — correct differentiation is
essential
for the right treatment.
Gwangju Shinsegae Eye Clinic uses precision diagnostics
to identify the exact cause.

STEP 2

Pterygium autoconjunctival graft surgery

Instead of simple excision (which has high recurrence),
we minimise recurrence with an autoconjunctival graft.
Using the patient’s own tissue means no rejection —
recovery is smooth and natural.

STEP 3

Systematic management of allergic conjunctivitis

For recurring seasonal allergic conjunctivitis,
we go beyond simple eye drops
with allergen-control guidance and a long-term
treatment plan.

STEP 4

Rapid emergency response

For epidemic eye infections, keratitis and other urgent cases,
we respond rapidly with same-day care.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conjunctivitis vs dry eye
Q.

My eye is red — is it conjunctivitis
or dry eye?

A

Both conditions can cause redness, but
their causes and treatments differ.
Symptoms such as discharge, itching and a foreign-body sensation,
along with onset and progression, must be assessed together for an accurate diagnosis.

How contagious is epidemic conjunctivitis?
Q.

How contagious is
epidemic conjunctivitis?

A

It is highly contagious.
Beyond direct contact, it can spread through towels, doorknobs and other
objects the patient has touched, and infectiousness can last about 2 weeks after symptoms appear.

Can allergic conjunctivitis be cured?
Q.

Can allergic conjunctivitis be
cured?

A

Allergic constitution itself is hard to change, but
with appropriate medication and lifestyle management,
symptoms can be effectively controlled.

Bleeding on the white of the eye
Q.

A blood patch suddenly appeared on
the white of my eye — is it dangerous?

A

In most cases it is subconjunctival hemorrhage, which clears naturally within 1–2 weeks without treatment.
However, if it is accompanied by pain or reduced vision, or recurs,
an accurate examination is needed.