Cornea Disorders & Diseases

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Cornea Disorders & Diseases

Restoring the Clear Window to Your World.

The cornea is the transparent, dome-shaped layer at the very front of the eye. It accounts for two-thirds of the eye’s focusing power. Our department specializes in treating corneal infections, degenerative conditions like Keratoconus, and performing advanced corneal transplants (Keratoplasty) to restore sight.

Overview

Keratoconus is a progressive condition where the normally round cornea thins and bulges outward into a cone shape. This irregular shape deflects light as it enters the eye, causing distorted vision that glasses cannot correct.

Who is at Risk?
  • Age: Typically starts in teenagers or young adults (ages 10–25).
  • Eye Rubbing: Chronic, vigorous eye rubbing is a major risk factor.
  • Allergies: Patients with hay fever or eczema.
  • Ghosting: Seeing double or triple images of a single object (especially white text on dark backgrounds).
  • Frequent Changes: Glasses prescription changes rapidly with high astigmatism.
  • Haloes: Starburst patterns around lights at night.
  • C3R / CXL (Collagen Cross-Linking): A vitamin (Riboflavin) and UV light treatment used to strengthen the cornea and stop the disease from getting worse.
  • Rose-K / Scleral Lenses: Specialized contact lenses to mask the irregularity and provide sharp vision.
  • Intacs: Semi-circular plastic rings inserted into the cornea to flatten the cone.
  • Corneal Transplant (DALK): Replacing the damaged front layers of the cornea for advanced cases.

Overview

A corneal ulcer is an open sore or infection on the cornea, often resulting in a white spot. It is a sight-threatening emergency that can lead to permanent scarring or blindness if not treated immediately.

Who is at Risk?
  • Contact Lens Users: Sleeping in lenses or poor hygiene is the #1 cause.
  • Trauma: Injury from a fingernail, tree branch, or foreign object.
  • Dry Eye: Severe dryness makes the eye vulnerable to infection.
  • White Spot: A visible white or grey patch on the black part of the eye.
  • Severe Pain: Often more painful than a standard conjunctivitis (pink eye).
  • Redness: Deep redness surrounding the iris.
  • Photophobia: Inability to open the eye in bright light.
  • Intensive Antibiotics/Antifungals: Eye drops administered every hour (day and night) to kill the bacteria or fungus.
  • Therapeutic Keratoplasty: An emergency corneal transplant done to save the eye if the infection does not respond to medication.

Overview

Dry Eye occurs when your tears aren’t able to provide adequate lubrication for your eyes. This can be due to insufficient tear production (Aqueous Deficient) or poor quality tears that evaporate too quickly (Evaporative).

Who is at Risk?
  • Screen Users: People who spend 6+ hours on digital devices (decreased blink rate).
  • Environment: Exposure to AC, wind, or dry climates.
  • Age/Gender: Post-menopausal women are at highest risk.
  • Grittiness: Feeling like there is sand or dust in your eye.
  • Watering: Paradoxically, the eye waters excessively as a reflex to irritation.
  • Fluctuating Vision: Vision clears up after blinking.
  • Lipid Flow / IPL Therapy: Advanced heat and light pulsation to unclog blocked oil glands (Meibomian glands) in the eyelids.
  • Punctal Plugs: Tiny silicone plugs inserted into tear drains to keep moisture in the eye longer.
  • Prescription Drops: Cyclosporine drops to increase tear production.

Overview

A Pterygium is a pink, fleshy tissue growth on the white of the eye (conjunctiva) that invades the cornea. If left unchecked, it can grow over the pupil and obstruct vision.

Who is at Risk?
  • UV Exposure: Direct sunlight is the primary cause.
  • Outdoors: People who work outside (farmers, bikers, surfers).
  • Dust/Wind: Chronic irritation.
  • Appearance: A visible triangular growth in the corner of the eye.
  • Redness: Persistent red veins in one specific area.
  • Astigmatism: The growth pulls on the cornea, changing your glass power.
  • Excision with Autograft: The gold standard surgery. The growth is removed and the gap is covered with a healthy piece of your own tissue (conjunctiva) using tissue glue (no stitches). This prevents recurrence.

Advanced Diagnostics

We see what others miss using high-precision mapping:

  • Pentacam / Corbvis: Detailed corneal topography to map curvature and thickness (essential for LASIK and Keratoconus).
  • Anterior Segment OCT: Scans the corneal layers to measure ulcer depth or scar thickness.
  • Specular Microscopy: Counts the endothelial cell density (vital before cataract surgery).

Patient FAQs

Can I go blind from Keratoconus?

Total blindness is rare, but legal blindness (inability to read or drive) is common if untreated. With modern treatments like C3R and Scleral lenses, most patients maintain functional vision for life.

Yes, the cornea is “avascular” (no blood vessels), making it the most successful organ transplant in the human body with low rejection rates.

It is a “Reflex Tearing.” When the eye is dry and irritated, the brain sends a signal to flood the eye with emergency tears, but these tears are watery and don’t stick, so the eye remains dry.

Don’t Ignore the Warning Signs. A detached retina or diabetic bleed requires immediate attention to save your sight.

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