Our Corneal Consultants
A team of experienced corneal specialists dedicated to advanced eye care
- Dr. Liz Mary Santhosh
- Dr. Priya Basaiawmoit
- Dr. Nita S
- Dr. Varughese Joseph
- Dr. Amita Verghese
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 incoming light onto the retina at the back of the eye.
The cornea's unique shape and transparency 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?
Injuries
Corneal injuries can be categorized into Mechanical and Chemical.
- Foreign body
- Abrasion
- Epithelial defect
- Laceration – Full thickness / Partial thickness
- Acid burns
- Alkali burns (more severe)
Small abrasions (scratches) on the cornea usually heal on their own. Severe injuries such as penetrating wounds or corneal perforation (hole) can lead to scarring and long-term vision problems.
Allergies
- Seasonal
- Perennial
Allergies to pollen and dust can irritate the eyes and cause allergic conjunctivitis (pink eye), resulting in redness, itching, and watering.
Keratitis
Keratitis is inflammation or infection of the cornea, leading to redness, blurred vision, and sensitivity to light.
- Viruses
- Bacteria
- Fungi
- Protozoa
Dry Eye Syndrome
A common multifactorial condition where tears are insufficient or unstable, causing redness, irritation, burning sensation, discomfort, and blurred vision.
- Aqueous deficient (low tear production)
- Evaporative (rapid tear loss)
- Mixed type
- Aging
- Environmental / lifestyle factors
- Prolonged screen use
- Certain medications
- Autoimmune diseases
Pterygium
A pterygium is a growth of tissue onto the surface of the cornea, commonly caused by prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from sunlight.
Corneal Scar
Corneal scars usually form following trauma or severe corneal infections. Dense scars can significantly obscure vision.
- Injuries (scratches, burns)
- Severe infections (herpes, bacterial keratitis)
- Inflammatory diseases
Keratoconus
Keratoconus occurs when the cornea thins and bulges outward like a cone, causing distorted and blurred vision due to improper focusing of light.
Corneal Dystrophies
Corneal dystrophies are a group of rare, inherited eye disorders in which abnormal material accumulates in the cornea, leading to cloudiness, blurred vision, pain, photophobia, or a foreign-body sensation.
Some severe cases may result in significant vision loss and may require corneal transplantation.
When to get help right away?
Go to the eye doctor or emergency room immediately if you experience:
- Intense eye pain
- Sudden change in vision
- Blurry or reduced vision
- Very red, watery eyes
- Object stuck in the eye
- Severe eye injury or trauma
Diagnostic Modalities at Amita Eye Care
- Pachymeter – measures corneal thickness
- Topography – evaluates corneal curvature, thickness, dry eye disease, etc.
- Specular Microscope – assesses the health of the inner layer of the cornea (endothelium) and corneal thickness
- Anterior Segment OCT – for anterior chamber angle and corneal study
- Dry Eye Workup – evaluates the extent and cause of dry eye
- Microbiology Workup by Corneal Scraping – for identifying microbes in corneal infections
Cornea Services at Amita Eye Care
- Corneal transplantation
- Amniotic membrane transplantation
- Pterygium excision with conjunctival autograft
- Diagnosis & treatment of dry eye disease
- C3R (Corneal Cross Linking) for keratoconus
- Contact lenses for keratoconus
- Management of corneal trauma
- Corneal & scleral tear repair
- Management of chemical injuries
- Excision / biopsy of ocular surface lesions
- Treatment of ocular surface squamous neoplasia