Cornea: Definition, Problems, Treatment & Cost

Introduction to Cornea

Definition of the cornea: The cornea is the outermost layer of the eye. It is the transparent, dome­shaped part that covers the exterior of the eye. In simple meaning, it is the clear exterior surface of the eye. It lies right in front of the iris and pupil, and it enables light to enter the eye.

Even, it is one of the essential elements of the human eye as it allows the light to enter into the eye for creating a vision. As light enters your eye, it gets refracted or bent through the cornea’s curved edge. Cornea’s outer layer is basically a protective layer cornea. Along with the sclera, it works as a barrier versus dirt, germs, and other elements that can cause harm to the eye. This helps decide how well your eye can centre on objects close-up and far away. It is usually 12mm in length and 11mm in height.
Refractive difficulties like myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism are produced due to a change in the shape of the cornea.
If your cornea is harmed by disease, infection, or an eye injury, the resulting marks can affect your vision. They might block or bend light as it enters your eye.

Structure of Cornea

Even the cornea may seem clear and appear to lack substance, it is an extremely organized tissue. Unlike most tissues in the body, the cornea holds no blood vessels to nourish or protect it upon infection. Alternatively, the cornea gets its nourishment from tears and the aqueous humour.
The tissues of the cornea are designed in 3 basic layers, with 2 thinner layers, or membranes, among them. Each of the 5 layers has an essential function.

Cornea Problems

There are many problems that can affect the health of a cornea. Some of them are:

• Corneal Ulcer

A corneal ulcer usually happens as a painful, red eye, with moderate to critical eye discharge and reduced vision.
The disease results from a localized infection of the cornea, related to an abscess.

• Corneal Abrasion

A corneal abrasion disturbs the protecting outer layer of cells of the cornea i.e. corneal epithelium, forming an open injury that raises your risk of a severe eye infection. So, it’s essential to see an eye doctor quickly if you found having corneal abrasion.

• Keratoconus

Keratoconus is a growing eye disease in which the normally round cornea thins and starts to swell into a cone-like shape. This cone shape turns light since it enters the eye on its way to the light-sensitive retina, creating a distorted vision.

• Corneal dystrophy

Fuchs’ dystrophy is an eye disease in which the inner layer of cells in the cornea experiences degenerative changes. This cell layer, called the endothelium, is accountable for keeping the precise volume of fluid in the cornea. The endothelium holds the cornea clear for good vision by pumping out excess fluid that can create corneal swelling.

• Dry Eyes

Though the cause of dry eyes typically occurs in the tears gland and eyelids, it can start to damage of the corneal epithelium, which creates eye distress and vision changes.

• Corneal Degeneration

While a few of these problems are not so severe but some of them might need a corneal transplant as they can be responsible for causing the corneal blindness in people.

There are many more eye problems like Corneal ulcer, Acanthamoeba keratitis, Fungal keratitis, Corneal ectasia and Chalazion. But the above mentioned are the common and major eye problems.

Treatment & Cost of Cornea problems

The cornea problems cab be easily cured by the following process ;

• Laser Surgery

PTK( Phototherapeutic keratectomy ) is a surgical procedure that utilises UV light and laser technology to reshape and repair the cornea. PTK has been applied to treat repetitive erosions and corneal dystrophies like map-dot-fingerprint dystrophy and basal membrane dystrophy. It helps prevent or postpone corneal replacement.

• Corneal Transplant Surgery

A cornea transplant is a common way to prevent corneal problems. Corneal transplant surgery removes the infected portion of the cornea and substitutes it with healthy donor tissue.
However, most people who need a cornea transplant experience a newer procedure termed lamellar keratoplasty. In this procedure, the surgeon selectively eliminates and substitutes the diseased layer of the cornea and leaves the healthy tissue in place. Replacing only infected layers with a donor graft leaves the cornea more structurally unimpaired and points to a lower rate of complications and better visual development.

All of the above surgeries cost are not much high and can be cured of the mentioned surgeries. Now, the cost of corneal transplant surgery varies within Rs 50,000 – Rs 1 lakh and is done at private sector hospitals only. With the introduction of the eye bank, the health department will make corneal transplant facility open to needy patients free of cost.

Conclusion

The cornea covers the pupil i.e the opening at the centre of the eye, iris i.e the coloured portion of the eye and anterior chamber i.e the fluid-filled in the interior of the eye. It is responsible for focusing the maximum of the light entering into the eye.
It also tends to correct itself instantly from minor abrasions. Though, deeper abrasions may create scars to appear on the cornea, which begins the cornea to lose its transparency, leading to visual impairment. But all the cornea problems can be corrected from surgery.

If you are searching for the best eye hospital in Delhi for cornea problems treatment, Eyemantra is the best hospital to visit. They provide valuable services with discounts and the expert team will provide the quality of eye care. We offer various services like Cataract surgery, Retina Surgery, Cornea Surgery and many more. Consult our ophthalmologist now!