Which of the following is considered a common corneal disorder?

• A. Corneal abrasion
• B. Retinoblastoma
• C. Uveitis
• D. Macular degeneration

Answer: (A)

Understanding what makes something a corneal disorder depends on which eye tissue is affected. The cornea is the clear front surface of the eye, so a corneal disorder involves the corneal tissue itself.

A corneal abrasion is a common problem where the corneal epithelium—the outermost layer of the cornea—is scratched or damaged. This is why it’s considered a corneal disorder: the injury is on the cornea’s surface, often due to trauma or contact lens misuse, and it typically causes pain, tearing, and sensitivity to light.

The other options involve different parts of the eye. Retinoblastoma is a tumor of the retina, not the cornea. Uveitis is inflammation of the uveal tract (iris, ciliary body, choroid) inside the eye, not the cornea. Macular degeneration affects the macula in the retina and impairs central vision, again not the cornea.

In practice, anterior segment imaging or exam focuses on the corneal surface to identify abrasions and other corneal conditions, which is why this choice best fits as a corneal disorder.