Before starting a discussion on Cornea and the issues that may arise in it and their treatments, one needs to understand what is the cornea. The cornea is the transparent part of the eye that covers the anterior portion of the eye. It acts as the front glass of a camera that covers the pupil, which is the opening at the centre of the eye, iris which is the coloured part of the eye, and the anterior chamber or the fluid-filled inside of the eye. A few of cornea’s primary functions include refraction or bending the light so received. It is also responsible for focusing most of the light that enters the eye. With that being said, let’s have a look at a few cornea related eye diseases.
A few examples of eye ailments related to the cornea include-
Corneal ulcer
A corneal ulcer is defined as an erosion or open sore on the corneal surface. It is a severe condition that requires immediate attention in order to avoid ocular problems. Treatment for corneal ulcers needs to be done at the earliest possible, as some ulcers may even lead to vision loss and blindness. The treatment line usually involves using antibiotics but may also involve antiviral or antifungal medications. Steroid eye drops may also be given to reduce inflammation. Some doctors may prescribe topical eye drops several times per day. In severe cases, patients are hospitalised for intensive care. Certain supplements, such as vitamin C, are also sometimes prescribed to lessen corneal scarring. Generally, if an ulcer does not heal normally with typical treatment, an amniotic membrane is placed on the cornea for seven to ten days. A corneal ulcer is evaluated by various tests such as visual acuity tests and culture sensitivity tests wherein the cornea specialists scrape the part of the ulcer and send it to the laboratory for evaluation. The idea behind this test is an in-depth analysis of causative organisms and sensitivity of the patient for the group of medicine. Apart from this, a slit-lamp biomicroscopy test is also conducted by eye doctors.
Corneal abrasion
A corneal abrasion is a scratch on the eye. It can happen in an instant like when the eye gets poked, or something gets trapped under the eyelid, like dirt or sand. The eye hurts, and it doesn’t get better on being closed, and lights make it sting and burn. A few symptoms of corneal abrasion include pain, especially when one opens or closes the eye, tearing and redness, increased sensitivity to light and having a blurred vision. In case of this ailment, eye doctors generally prescribe an antibiotic eye drop or ointments to prevent the eyes from getting infected. Medicated eye drops are also given to ease pain and redness, along with other analgesics (pain medicine).
In some cases, the eyes are taped shut, and people may need to wear a patch over the eye to keep light from entering and thereupon bothering it. Ideally, a minor scratch should heal on its own in 1 to 3 days while severe abrasions may take longer. For people suffering from corneal abrasions, it is essential to follow a few steps like avoiding wearing contacts until the eye doctor says it’s safe to do so along with avoiding frequent eye rubbing.
Corneal Scarring
The cornea needs to be perfectly clear and in a regular shape for it to focus light effectively. Conditions of varied nature such as infections, trauma, contact lens complications can be the cause of scarring of the cornea. This scarring often results in a reduction of vision. Many different treatments are available for corneal scars depending on where they are and how deeply the cornea has been affected. While most superficial scars can be removed with laser treatment but deeper scarring may require corneal transplantation. The specialist corneal surgeons at Centre for Sight will be able to suggest the treatment option that is best for your condition.
A few other issues related to Cornea are –
- Keratoconus
- Corneal Inflammations
- Corneal Dystrophies
- Corneal Cancers
- Dry Eye
- Trauma
Why Choose Centre for Sight For Cornea Services?
We have upgraded & advanced Department for Cornea services with a world-class team of experts who are well trained with the latest techniques to deal with the complex corneal disorders and our highly trained and experienced surgeons evaluate the corneal condition in a manner very few can. Our experts customise the protocol to suit the individual needs, which works best for the patient and we are well equipped for the management of medical and surgical corneal conditions. We work with the aim of patient satisfaction, and their safety, comfort & care are our top priorities.
For more on cornea related eye ailments and its effective treatment, reach our experts today because we believe that every eye deserves the best.
Article: A brief discussion on Cornea
Author: CFS Editorial Team | Oct 02 2020 | UPDATED 03:12 IST
*The views expressed here are solely those of the author in his private capacity and do not in any way represent the views of Centre for Sight.
