01
Infections
Bacteria, viruses, fungi or acanthamoeba can invade the cornea, especially after injury or contact-lens wear, and produce ulceration.
M G Eye Foundation/Services/Cornea Services
Cornea Services
M G Eye Foundation, Bara Gamharia, Jamshedpur, provides assessment and treatment for corneal abrasion, ulcer, scarring, keratoconus and other diseases of the clear front window of the eye. DR KUMAR SAKET and DR MALAY KUMAR DWIVEDI plan care after a detailed examination of the ocular surface.
What is the cornea?
The cornea is the clear, curved front surface of the eye. It focuses light and protects deeper structures. Infection, injury, dystrophy, thinning or dry eye can cloud or distort this surface. When the cornea is damaged, vision may fall even if the lens and retina are healthy.
Why it develops
Causes
Corneal disease has many starting points. Infection and injury are common; dystrophy and thinning may run in families.
02
Trauma
A scratch, foreign body or blunt injury can break the epithelial barrier and allow infection or scarring.
03
Injuries
Chemical splash, thermal burn or penetrating injury may destroy corneal tissue and need urgent washing and specialist care.
04
Toxic chemicals
Alkali and acid exposure damage cells rapidly. Immediate irrigation and examination reduce the depth of injury.
05
Dystrophies and degeneration
Inherited or age-related change in corneal layers can cause haze, recurrent erosion or progressive thinning.
06
Autoimmune disorders
Systemic immune disease may inflame the ocular surface or sclera and secondarily involve the cornea.
07
Ectasia (thinning)
Keratoconus and related ectasias steepen and thin the cornea, distorting vision and sometimes progressing.
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Nutritional deficiencies
Severe vitamin A deficiency and related malnutrition can soften the cornea and raise the risk of ulcer.
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Allergies
Chronic allergic inflammation roughens the surface, causes itching and may lead to shield ulcers in children.
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Tumours
Benign or malignant growths of the ocular surface can invade or distort the cornea.
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Dry eye and glaucoma
A poor tear film or long-term pressure disease and its drops can stress the surface and delay healing.
How it feels
Symptoms
Surface disease often hurts. Seek care quickly if pain, discharge or sudden blur follows injury or lens wear.
01
Pain
The cornea has many nerves. Even a small abrasion can cause sharp pain, especially on blinking.
02
Discharge
Mucoid or purulent discharge suggests infection and needs examination the same day when possible.
03
Blurred vision
Haze, irregular astigmatism or oedema scatter light so print and faces lose sharpness.
04
Tearing
Reflex watering is the eye’s attempt to wash an irritated surface.
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Redness
Ciliary injection around the cornea is a warning sign of keratitis or ulcer.
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Light sensitivity
Photophobia is typical when the epithelium is broken or inflamed.
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Corneal scarring
After healing, a white opacity may remain and permanently reduce vision if it sits on the visual axis.
Treatment
Mild injuries may be treated with a patch, a bandage contact lens, prescribed drops or tablets. Advanced disease such as dense scar, failed endothelium or uncontrolled infection may need corneal transplant or other surgery. Keratoconus is often managed first with rigid or scleral lenses. Autoimmune disease is treated together with the underlying systemic condition. Cross-linking (CXL) is used to slow progressive ectasia when the cornea is suitable.
Cornea services provided by us
01
Penetrating Keratoplasty (PK)
A full-thickness transplant removes the diseased central cornea and replaces it with donor tissue. It is used when all layers are scarred or the architecture cannot be restored by a partial-thickness graft.
02
Therapeutic Penetrating Keratoplasty (TPK)
TPK is advised in severe fungal keratitis when infection cannot be controlled medically, to stop spread, protect the globe and, where possible, salvage structure.
03
DSEK / DMEK
Endothelial keratoplasty replaces only the inner layers. DSEK uses a small incision to remove damaged endothelium and Descemet’s membrane and place a partial-thickness donor button. DMEK replaces host Descemet membrane and endothelium with donor DM and endothelium alone.
DSEKDMEK
04
Hard contact lens (RGP and scleral)
Rigid gas-permeable lenses can improve acuity in keratoconus and after transplant. Scleral lenses rest on the white of the eye and vault over an irregular cornea, creating a smooth optical surface.
05
CXL (corneal collagen cross-linking)
CXL uses riboflavin and controlled ultraviolet light to stiffen corneal collagen and inhibit progression of ectasia in suitable eyes.
On-site equipment
How we examine the cornea here
Slit lamp
Magnified examination of the cornea, conjunctiva, anterior chamber and lens for abrasion, ulcer, infiltrate and scar.
Appasamy Anterior Segment Imaging
Documents the front of the eye so change over time can be compared with precision.
NIDEK ARK
Measures refractive power and corneal curvature, which helps in keratoconus and post-transplant follow-up.
ZEISS LUMERA 300
Operating microscope used when corneal microsurgery is performed in this hospital.
Cornea FAQs
Questions patients ask
01How do you treat a damaged cornea?
Treatment may include:
- Removing foreign material from the eye
- A temporary bandage contact lens or eye patch
- Ointments, medicines or drops prescribed after examination
- Stopping contact-lens wear while the surface heals
02Can a damaged cornea repair itself?
The cornea can heal small injuries. Healthy epithelial cells slide across and close a minor wound. A severe injury takes longer and may leave a scar.
03What happens if the cornea is damaged?
Injury, infection or disease can leave scars that block or distort light as it enters the eye, reducing vision.
04How long does the cornea take to heal?
Most abrasions heal within one to three days and seldom progress to recurrent erosion or infection if treated promptly.
05Why is the cornea slow to heal?
Smoking, diabetes, neurotrophic disease, ocular surface disease, abnormal cell signalling and impaired corneal nerves can delay healing.
06Does the cornea grow back?
After minor injury or infection the surface usually regenerates. Pain, blur and redness can occur during healing. Severe symptoms need medical care.
07Which layer of the cornea cannot regenerate?
Bowman’s layer helps the cornea keep its shape. If it is injured it does not regenerate and a scar may form.
Visit M G Eye Foundation
to provide comprehensive eye care services to all the sections of society at affordable cost.
- Plot No. 121, Durga Puja Maidan, Near Vani Vidya Mandir School, Bara Gamharia, Jamshedpur, Jharkhand
- +91 84090 01008
- mgeyefoundation@gmail.com
- Monday–Saturday: 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.. Sunday: Closed
Doctors
DR KUMAR SAKET
Cataract, medical retina and trauma specialist
DR MALAY KUMAR DWIVEDI
Pediatric Ophthalmologist, Cataract and Squint specialist
