What is the cornea?
The cornea is a remarkable structure that serves as the transparent, dome-shaped window at the front of your eye. It plays a vital role in vision by allowing light to pass through and enter the eye. This clear tissue acts as a powerful refractive surface, bending and focusing the incoming light rays onto the retina located at the back of the eye. The cornea's unique shape and transparency enable it to contribute significantly to the overall clarity and sharpness of your vision. Its remarkable function and structure make the cornea an essential component of the eye's optical system, facilitating the visual process that allows us to perceive the world around us.
What are the main types of corneal conditions?
1. Injuries
Small abrasions (scratches) on the cornea usually heal on their own. However, deeper scratches or other injuries can cause corneal scarring and vision problems.
2. Allergies
Allergies to pollen can irritate the eyes and cause allergic conjunctivitis (pink eye). This can make your eyes red, itchy, and watery.
3. Keratitis
Keratitis is inflammation and infectionsof the cornea. It can lead to symptoms such as redness, blurred vision, & sensitivity to light.
4. Dry eye
A dry eye happens when your eyes don’t make enough tears to stay wet. This can be uncomfortable and may cause vision problems.
5. Corneal Dystrophies
Corneal dystrophies cause cloudy vision when material builds up on the cornea. These diseases usually run in families.
6. Pterygium
A pterygium is a growth of tissue onto the surface of the cornea, often a result of prolonged sun exposure (UV rays).
7. Corneal Scar
Corneal scars are usually formed following trauma or corneal infections and if it is dense enough can cause obscuration of vision.
8. Keratoconus
Keratoconus is when the cornea thins out and bulges like a cone. This brings light rays out of focus, making your vision blurry and distorted.
When to get help right away?
Go to the eye doctor or the emergency room if you have:
Intense Eye Pain
Change in Vision
Blurry Vision
Very Red, Watery Eyes
An object stuck in your eye.
A severe eye injury or trauma — like getting hit in the eye
What Diagnostic Modalities does E.M.L.C offer?
Pachymeter – to calculate thickness of the cornea
Topography – to measure corneal curvature, thickness, dry eye disease etc.
Specular microscope – to assess the health of the inner layer of the cornea (endothelium), corneal thickness.
Anterior segment OCT-for corneal study, thickness and angle of anterior chamber.
Dry Eye Work up – Set of investigations to evaluate the extent and cause for dry eye.
Microbiology work up by corneal scraping– For identifying specific microbes in corneal infections.
What procedures we Perform?
Corneal Transplantation – Full thickness & Lamellar
Amniotic Membrane Transplantation
Pterygium excision with conjunctival autograft
Treatment of dry eye disease
C3R for keratoconus
Contact lenses for keratoconus-Treating corneal ulcers as day care in patients