Common Disorders Of The Cornea

Keratoconus

Keratoconus eye is a progressive condition characterized by weakening of the cornea wherein the cornea (the outer clear part of the eye) becomes “cone-shaped”, instead of being spherical. It is said to happen when the corneas are less “rigid”. Keratoconus transplant typically develops between the ages of 12 and 25 years and results in a progressive reduction in vision. Early cases can be treated with rigid contact lenses, while those who can’t tolerate contact lenses at all, may require a corneal transplant, and its cost is at an affordable price.

For mild cases, with a good corneal thickness and no significant steepening, we tend to observe the progression of the disease. This requires serial corneal topographies 3-6 months apart.

Moderately severe cases with thin corneas are managed with a therapeutic procedure called corneal collagen cross linking (CXL or C3R) which uses ultraviolet light and a chemical called riboflavin to arrest corneal thinning and halt the progression of the disease.

Cross linking may be accompanied with the insertion of corneal ring segments – INTACS made of a polymer or CAIRS made of donor corneal stromal tissue. These ring segments serve to flatten the cornea and augment corneal thickness.

Very severe cases may need a partial corneal transplant called DALK where the anterior corneal layers are removed and replaced with donor tissue.

Pterygium

Your eye may lose its actual vision, not due to cataracts or corneal damage, but due to the presence of pterygium infection. The pterygium eye infection is caused because of the sudden growth of tissue in your eye. Pterygium doesn’t involve serious complications and it is cured using eye drops. In some cases, if the tissue growth is uncontrolled by eye drops and other medications, it is recommended to go for surgery to completely remove the Pterygium.

Causes of Pterygium Eye

Below we have mentioned some of the many pterygium causes:

1. Dryness in the eyes is one of the biggest causes of Pterygium.
2. Pterygium causes include exposure to ultraviolet rays for a long time.
3. It may be caused due to the dust.

Treatment for Pterygium Eye

1. Medical:- If the Pterygium is leading to symptoms like irritation or redness, the doctor will prescribe eye ointment to reduce the inflammation.
2. Surgical:- If the Pterygium symptoms are worsening and the ointment is not offering any relief. Your eye doctor will recommend surgery to remove the pterygium.. The process of pterygium surgery is low-risk and fairly quick; therefore, there is nothing to worry about., the surgeon will carefully remove the conjunctiva tissue along with the pterygium.

Once the pterygium is successfully removed, the surgeon with replace it with a graft of membrane tissue in order to prevent pterygium growth in the future.

Computer Vision Syndrome

What is Computer Vision Syndrome?

Eye problems caused by computer use fall under the heading computer vision syndrome. It includes a whole range of eye strain and pain. Research shows that between 50% and 90% of people who work at a computer screen have at least some eye related symptoms.

Computer Vision Syndrome Prevention

With these simple practices, you can reduce the effects of Computer Vision Syndrome

• Make sure the lighting in the room is comfortable on the eyes, and prevents you from staring into glare on the computer screen.
• Position the digital display so that your head is in a naturally comfortable position while using.
• Take breaks. A few minutes away from the computer can go a long way when it comes to your eyes. Think of it similarly to the way you take stretch breaks for your arms and back.
• Make sure your seat is comfortable. A comfortable chair with support for your neck and back will help you avoid neck and shoulder strain commonly associated with computer vision syndrome.

Even after taking care of your eyes if your eyes still trouble you then it is best to consult your eye doctor to make sure that other causes like weak eye muscles, dry eyes, eye power etc can be managed as well.

Procedures Available

Pentacam Tomography – the latest and most advanced three-dimensional tomographer which accurately images the cornea and screens patients for Lasik and Keratoconus with a treatment cost at affordable prices.

1. Pachymeter to calculate thickness of the cornea
2. Dry Eye Work up Set of investigations to evaluate the extent and cause for dry eye
3. Microbiology work up For identifying specific microbes in corneal infections
4. Pterygium excision with conjunctival autograft
5. corneal collagen cross linking (CXL or C3R)