What are the characteristics of corneal edema?

Corneal edema occurs when excess fluid accumulates in the cornea, leading to changes in its transparency and curvature. The characteristics associated with this condition include smoky or cloudy vision due to the swelling of corneal tissue, which interferes with the passage of light. As the cornea swells, it can also lead to an increase in keratometric (K) readings, reflecting the change in curvature caused by the fluid retention. This increased curvature happens because the cornea becomes more dome-shaped as it swells.

The characteristic symptoms of corneal edema manifest not only as visual disturbances like spectacle blur, which is the perception of distorted images while wearing corrective lenses, but also as noticeable changes in the corneal shape that can be detected through keratometry.

In contrast, other options present details that do not align with the known characteristics of corneal edema. For instance, clear vision with reduced K readings or normal vision with light sensitivity does not accurately describe the effects of corneal swelling. Severe pain and redness are more indicative of other ocular conditions such as infection or inflammation rather than corneal edema, which is primarily associated with vision changes.