The cornea is the transparent, dome-shaped window covering the front of your eye. It is a vital part of focusing light onto the back of the eye so images appear clear and sharp. Corneal diseases and injury can greatly impact vision quality.
What does the cornea do?
This thin protective barrier not only helps refract light, but also filters some ultraviolet rays and defends against infection. The cells that make up the cornea are structured to be crystal clear so light can transmit without obstruction. This level of clarity makes corneal transplantation between donors and recipients one of the most successful tissue transplant procedures.
How does the cornea get damaged?
Many conditions and injuries can damage the cornea transparency and shape leading to vision problems such as:
- Infection – viruses, bacteria, fungi
- Chronic dry eye – insufficient tears
- Physical injuries – scratches, blunt trauma
- Dystrophies – abnormal tissue development
- Scarring disorders
- Swelling – retains excess fluids
Symptoms of corneal disease include blurred vision, haziness, glares, halos around lights, eye pain, redness, watery eyes and sensitivity to light. Early intervention is important to minimize permanent vision loss in affected individuals.
How do we treat the cornea?
From antibiotics and amniotic membrane grafts to complex lamellar and full-thickness corneal transplants, treatment options span from conservative to surgical based on case specifics. We have specialized expertise in procedures such as:
- Corneal cross-linking – hardens cornea tissues in cases like keratoconus or injury
- Pterygium surgery – removes inflamed corneal tissue growths
- Corneal transplant – replaces scarred host tissue with healthy donor tissue
- Phototherapeutic keratectomy – removes scar tissue with an excimer laser
- Amniotic membrane grafts – facilitates healing
Our team combines cutting-edge diagnostic technology, medical management, and refined microsurgical techniques to maximize cornea health and visual outcomes. We tailor treatment programs to each patient’s needs through precise testing, advanced eye imaging, and reviews by our multidisciplinary cornea specialists. Please contact us today to discuss your cornea concerns or schedule a comprehensive evaluation.
Facility of cornea care at our clinic
Slit lamp examination and anterior segment photography
Tissue adhesive and bandage contact lens
Pterygium excision with conjunctivo-limbal autograft technique
Anterior stromal puncture for recurrent corneal erosion
Superficial keratectomy with bandage contact lens
Collagen cross linking for keratoconus
24 hours emergency and well trained staff for attending any type chemical injury
Complete medical management of all types of keratitis, corneal edema and dystrophy
Question Asked by Patient
Cornea is the transparent central part of your eye. Any disease that involves cornea can lead to serious loss of vision. Corneal services involve the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the cornea, such as infections, injuries, dystrophies, and refractive issues.
Common corneal diseases include keratitis (infection), Pterygium, chemical injuries, foreign body, keratopathy, dystrophies and degeneration, corneal opacities and scarring. Certain diseases affect the shape of the cornea like keratoconus or keratoglobus. Dry eyes and ocular surface disorders may also affect cornea.
- Corneal Abrasion: A scratch or injury on the corneal surface, causing pain, redness, and sensitivity to light.
- Keratitis: Inflammation of the cornea, often due to infection (bacterial, viral, or fungal) or wearing contact lenses for extended periods.
- Corneal Dystrophy: A group of inherited conditions leading to a gradual buildup of cloudy material in the cornea, affecting vision.
- Corneal Ulcer: An open sore on the cornea often caused by infection, leading to pain, redness, discharge, and blurred vision.
- Keratoconus: A progressive thinning and bulging of the cornea, causing distorted vision that can’t be corrected with glasses.
- Corneal Edema: Swelling of the cornea due to excess fluid, often caused by endothelial cell dysfunction, leading to blurred vision and discomfort.
- Fuchs’ Dystrophy: A gradual degeneration of endothelial cells leading to corneal swelling, causing blurred vision, glare, and discomfort.
- Corneal Laceration: A deep cut or tear in the cornea due to trauma, requiring immediate medical attention to prevent vision loss.
Some common procedures include corneal scrapping for diagnostic and therapeutic purpose in keratitis, excision of Pterygium with autograft, treatment of chemical burns based on severity of the burns, coneal suturing in case of perforation following trauma, keratoplasty ( corneal transplant), collagen cross linking for keratoconus, amniotic membrane grafting, application of tissue adhesive and bandage contact lens for smaller perforation post infection etc.
