Cornea Treatment in Navi Mumbai
Suruchi Eye Hospital
Expert Corneal Care
The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped front surface in our eye that plays a vital role in focusing light and protecting your vision.
Understanding the Cornea
The cornea serves as the eye’s primary focusing element, contributing approximately 65-75% of the eye’s total focusing power. Apart from this, it also protects our eyes from dust, germs, and UV rays while maintaining the structural integrity of our eyes.
The cornea consists of five distinct layers, each serving specific functions in maintaining clarity and health.
When the cornea becomes damaged, infected, or diseased, it can significantly impact vision quality and overall eye health.
Common symptoms that may indicate corneal problems include:
- blurred or distorted vision,
- eye pain,
- sensitivity to light,
- excessive tearing,
- foreign body sensation, or
- visible white spots on the eye surface.
When Treatment is Needed
Corneal treatment becomes necessary when injury, infection, genetic conditions, or degenerative diseases affect the cornea’s clarity, shape, or function, thereby impacting the quality of your vision.
Our Corneal Treatment Services
At Suruchi Eye Centre, we provide comprehensive corneal care utilising the latest technology and proven treatment methods tailored to your specific condition.
Corneal Transplantation (Keratoplasty)
Corneal transplantation is typically considered when the cornea becomes so damaged or scarred that it cannot be treated with medicines.
This usually happens when there is severe scarring from infection, injury, or advanced corneal diseases that significantly impair vision.
However, transplantation is not always the first choice. We explore other treatment options first, such as medications, specialized contact lenses, or minor surgical procedures.
The procedure involves replacing damaged or diseased corneal tissue with healthy donor tissue from a cornea bank. This is one of the most successful transplant surgeries in medicine, with high success rates and excellent long-term outcomes.
Types of corneal transplants We Offer At Suruchi Eye Hospital
Full-Thickness Transplant (Penetrating Keratoplasty): In this surgery, all corneal layers are replaced.
Partial-Thickness Transplant: Selective replacement of specific corneal layers, including:
- Descemet’s Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSEK)
- Descemet’s Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK)
- Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty (DALK)
These advanced techniques are painless, sutureless and lead to faster recovery.
Corneal Cross-Linking (CXL) Treatment
Corneal cross-linking is often the first line of treatment for keratoconus, especially when caught early. Sometimes the cornea becomes weak and cone-shaped. At this stage if treatments like CXL are carried out then they strengthen the cornea from within and save you from the transplants.
This treatment strengthens the corneal tissue by creating additional bonds between collagen fibres using riboflavin (Vitamin B2) and controlled UV-A light exposure. The goal is to strengthen the cornea and avoid transplantation.
The treatment process involves removing the corneal epithelium, applying riboflavin drops, and exposing the cornea to UV-A light for approximately 30 minutes.
This creates new cross-links between collagen fibres, increasing corneal rigidity and halting disease progression.
Pterygium Surgery
Pterygium is a benign(non-cancerous), triangular-shaped growth of conjunctival tissue that extends onto the cornea. While initially appearing as a small, fleshy bump, pterygium can grow across the cornea, causing astigmatism, vision distortion, and cosmetic concerns. The good news is that this is completely treatable with a relatively simple outpatient procedure.
Pterygium surgery is typically recommended when the growth begins to affect your vision or causes persistent discomfort that doesn’t improve with eye drops or other conservative treatments. Many small pterygia can be managed with lubricating drops and sun protection, but surgery becomes necessary when the pterygium grows large enough to distort the cornea’s shape or block vision.
Our modern surgery completely removes the pterygium, then we cover the area with healthy tissue taken from another part of your own eye.
This method significantly reduces the likelihood of the pterygium regrowing, which occurs in fewer than 1 out of 100 people. The surgery is done while you’re awake but with numbing medicine in your eye, and it takes about 30 to 45 minutes to complete.
Corneal Infection Treatment
Corneal ulcers and infections require prompt, aggressive treatment to prevent permanent vision loss. Our comprehensive approach includes:
- Immediate Diagnosis: Advanced diagnostic techniques, including corneal scraping, culture, and sensitivity testing to identify the specific causative organism.
- Targeted Therapy: Precise antimicrobial treatment based on laboratory results, ensuring the most effective medication for bacterial, viral, fungal, or parasitic infections.
- Monitoring and Follow-up: Regular assessment of treatment response and adjustment of therapy as needed to ensure complete resolution of the condition.
- Complications Management: Expert handling of complex cases, including perforated corneas, persistent infections, and secondary complications.
Pediatric Corneal Care
Children with corneal conditions require specialised care and treatment approaches tailored to their specific needs. Common pediatric corneal issues include:
- Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis (VKC): A chronic allergic condition causing severe itching, tearing, and corneal damage. We use steroid-sparing medications to provide effective long-term management while minimizing potential side effects.
- Corneal Abrasions: Prompt treatment of scratches and injuries to prevent infection and scarring.
- Congenital Corneal Conditions: Management of inherited corneal dystrophies and developmental abnormalities.
Conditions We Treat
Keratoconus
Keratoconus is a progressive condition where the cornea gradually thins and bulges outward into a cone shape, causing irregular astigmatism and vision distortion. This condition typically develops during adolescence and may progress for 10-20 years before stabilizing.
Early detection is crucial for effective management. We use advanced diagnostic tools, including corneal topography, pachymetry, and anterior segment OCT, to monitor disease progression and determine the most appropriate treatment approach.
Treatment options include:
- Corneal cross-linking to halt progression
- Specialty contact lenses for vision correction
- Intacs (corneal ring segments) for moderate cases
- Corneal transplantation for advanced cases
Corneal Scarring and Opacity
Corneal scarring can result from injury, infection, chemical burns, or inflammatory conditions. The appearance of white spots or cloudiness on the cornea may significantly impact vision, depending on their size and location.
Treatment options vary based on the severity and location of scarring:
- Corneal transplantation for central, vision-affecting scars
- Phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) for superficial scars
- Corneal tattooing for cosmetic improvement
- Specialized contact lenses to mask minor irregularities
Corneal Dystrophies
Corneal dystrophies are inherited conditions that cause progressive changes in corneal structure and clarity. Common types include:
- Fuchs' Endothelial Dystrophy: Affects the corneal endothelium, leading to corneal swelling and vision loss.
- Lattice Dystrophy: Causes protein deposits in the corneal stroma, creating a lattice-like pattern.
- Map-Dot-Fingerprint Dystrophy: Affects the corneal epithelium, causing recurrent erosions and vision fluctuations.
Corneal Injuries and Trauma
Corneal injuries require immediate attention to prevent complications and preserve vision. Common injuries include:
- Foreign Body Removal: Safe extraction of metal, glass, or organic material embedded in the cornea.
- Corneal Lacerations: Surgical repair of cuts or tears in the corneal tissue.
- Chemical Burns: Emergency treatment and ongoing management of acid or alkali burns.
- Corneal Abrasions: Treatment of scratches and surface injuries to promote healing and prevent infection.
Advanced Diagnostic Capabilities
Our comprehensive diagnostic approach ensures accurate diagnosis and optimal treatment planning:
- Corneal Topography: It is mainly used it to map the corneal surface. This helps us to detect the irregularities.
- Pachymetry: Measures corneal thickness to assess disease progression and surgical candidacy.
- Anterior Segment OCT: Provides detailed cross-sectional images of corneal layers.
- Confocal Microscopy: Allows cellular-level examination of corneal tissue.
- Specular Microscopy: Evaluates the health and density of corneal endothelial cells.
Why Choose Suruchi Eye Hospital for Corneal Care?
Specialized Expertise to brings extensive experience in corneal diseases and surgical procedures, ensuring expert care for even the most complex cases.
- Advanced Technology: We utilize state-of-the-art diagnostic and surgical equipment to provide precise, effective treatments with optimal outcomes.
- Comprehensive Care: From initial diagnosis through treatment and long-term follow-up, we provide complete corneal care under one roof.
- Personalized Treatment: Each patient receives an individualized treatment plan based on their specific condition, lifestyle, and vision goals.
- Proven Results: Our track record of successful outcomes and patient satisfaction demonstrates our commitment to excellence in corneal care.
Treatment Process and What to Expect
Initial Consultation
Your first visit includes a comprehensive eye examination, detailed medical history review, and advanced diagnostic testing. We’ll discuss your symptoms, concerns, and treatment goals to develop an appropriate management plan.
Treatment Planning
Based on your specific condition and diagnostic results, we’ll explain all available treatment options, including benefits, risks, and expected outcomes. You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and make informed decisions about your care.
Surgical Procedures
If surgery is recommended, we’ll provide detailed pre-operative instructions and schedule your procedure at our fully equipped surgical facility. Most corneal procedures are performed on an outpatient basis using local anaesthesia.
Recovery and Follow-up
Post-operative care is crucial for optimal outcomes. We provide detailed recovery instructions, and prescribed medications, and schedule regular follow-up appointments to monitor healing and address any concerns.
Prevention and Maintenance
While not all corneal conditions can be prevented, you can reduce your risk by:
- Wearing protective eyewear during sports or hazardous activities
- Practicing proper contact lens hygiene
- Seeking prompt treatment for eye infections or injuries
- Protecting your eyes from UV radiation with quality sunglasses
- Maintaining good overall health and managing systemic conditions
Frequently Asked Questions
Common signs include blurred vision, eye pain, light sensitivity, excessive tearing, or visible changes in the appearance of the eye. Any persistent eye symptoms warrant professional evaluation.
Most corneal procedures are performed under local anaesthesia, minimising discomfort during surgery. Post-operative pain is typically manageable with prescribed medications.
Recovery time varies depending on the specific procedure being performed. Minor treatments may require only a few days, while corneal transplants may take several months for complete healing.
Corneal transplantation has excellent success rates, with over 90% of transplants remaining clear and functional after one year.
While most treatments provide long-lasting results, some conditions may recur. Regular follow-up care helps detect and address any recurrence early.