Dr. Jatin Ashar is the best cornea surgery in Mumbai The cornea is the clear dome shaped transparent, outermost layer of the eye, about 12 mm in diameter. It serves as a physical barrier against dust, microorganisms and other harmful particles. The cornea also plays an important role in vision. It filters some amount of ultraviolet light and protects iris, pupil and anterior chamber. As light is refracted by the curvature of the cornea, it is focused on the object and forms a clear Image. Any infection, disease or trauma to the cornea can interfere with vision by blocking or distorting light as it enters the eye. It contains specialized tissue having no blood vessels and is nourished with your tears and aqueous humor (behind the cornea).
Cornea is made up of three major components. •
•
Epithelium – Cornea has numerous nerve endings, that’s why you experience pain while rubbing your eyes. It absorbs oxygen and nutrients from the tears. Epithelium is connected with stroma with the help of basement membrane. Stroma – The stroma is the thickest part of the cornea and is made up of collagen and water. Collagen fives elasticity and keeps cornea firm. These collagen fibres are arranged in strictly in a regular, geometric fashion. This arrangement is responsible for clear cornea, while in case of trauma, collagen fibres laid down in repair, often leads to cloudy
•
cornea. Below stroma is the Descemet’s membrane, which connects it with endothelium. Endothelium - The innermost layer of the cornea is made up of endothelium. Function of endothelium is to maintain fluid balance by acting as a pump, expelling excess water as it is absorbed into the stroma. Without this specialized function, the stroma could become waterlogged and hazy and opaque in appearance, also reducing vision.
Symptoms of corneal conditions Minor injuries of cornea heal by itself while major injuries may result in scarring and impaired vision. •
Intense pain.
•
Blurred vision.
•
Double vision
•
Tearing.
•
Redness.
•
Extreme sensitivity to light.
Corneal conditions •
Injuries/Trauma
•
Eye allergies
•
Keratitis.
•
Ocular herpes
•
Herpes zoster (shingles)
•
Dry eye. Nutritional Deficiencies like Vitamin A
• •
•
Corneal dystrophies – Keratoconus, Map-dot-fingerprint dystrophy, Fuch's dystrophy Common diseases that can affect the cornea — Abnormal growths, autoimmune diseases, Stevens - Johnson syndrome, iridocorneal endothelial syndrome and pterygium.