Cornea Services
The cornea is the transparent front part of the eye that covers the pupil, iris, and anterior chamber. It is responsible for two-thirds of the eye’s power. In humans, the refractive power of the cornea is approximately 43 diopters. While the cornea contributes most of the eye’s focusing power, its focus is fixed. The curvature of the lens, on the other hand, can be adjusted to “tune” the focus depending on the object’s distance.
The human cornea has five (possibly six) layers. It has a diameter of about 11.5 mm and a thickness of 0.5–0.6 mm in the center and 0.6–0.8 mm at the periphery. Transparency, avascularity, and the presence of immature resident immune cells make the cornea a very special tissue. The cornea has no blood supply; it gets oxygen directly from the air. Oxygen first dissolves in the tears and then diffuses throughout the cornea to keep it healthy. Therefore, a disturbance in the tear film can be detrimental to the health of the cornea. The best cornea surgeons in Delhi treat all types of corneal disorders, such as dry eye, keratoconus, corneal dystrophies, and allergic and immune pathologies.
Who Can Benefit from a Corneal Transplant?
Corneal transplants, both full thickness and lamellar, are performed routinely. Of all tissue transplants, a corneal transplant is the most successful owing to the unique properties of this tissue. However, sometimes the body can reject this tissue, which is taken from a cadaver immediately after death. If the transplanted cornea is rejected by the body, the following symptoms may occur:
- Redness
- Pain
- Decreased vision
- Extreme sensitivity to light
If a patient experiences any of these symptoms, an urgent visit to the best cornea specialist in Delhi, trained in corneal disorders, is mandatory. Early treatment can save these transplants from failing at the Delhi Eye Centre.
What is a Corneal Transplant?
A corneal transplant, also known as keratoplasty, is a surgical procedure where a damaged or diseased cornea is replaced by donor corneal tissue. The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped surface at the front of the eye, playing a crucial role in focusing vision. When the cornea becomes clouded, scarred, or distorted, vision can be significantly impaired, and a corneal transplant may be necessary to restore clear vision.
- Penetrating Keratoplasty (PK): This involves the full-thickness replacement of the central part of the cornea.
- Lamellar Keratoplasty (LK): This involves replacing only a portion of the corneal layers, leaving the healthy part intact.
The Procedure
During the procedure, the surgeon removes the damaged part of the cornea and replaces it with the healthy donor tissue. The new cornea is carefully stitched into place with fine sutures. The entire procedure is usually performed under local or general anesthesia and typically takes about one to two hours.
Post-Operative Care and Recovery
After the surgery, patients need to follow specific post-operative care instructions to ensure successful healing and prevent complications. These may include:
- Using prescribed eye drops: To prevent infection and reduce inflammation.
- Avoid strenuous activities: To protect the eye during the healing process.
- Regular follow-up visits: To monitor the healing progress and remove sutures if necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
A corneal transplant, or keratoplasty, is a surgical procedure to replace a damaged or diseased cornea with healthy donor tissue. It can restore vision, reduce pain, and improve the appearance of a damaged or diseased cornea.
Individuals with conditions such as keratoconus, corneal scarring, corneal dystrophies, Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy, or corneal edema may need a corneal transplant. It is typically recommended when other treatments are ineffective.
There are two main types:
- Penetrating Keratoplasty (PK): A full-thickness transplant.
- Lamellar Keratoplasty (LK): A partial-thickness transplant that preserves healthy corneal layers.
The procedure usually takes about one to two hours and is performed under local or general anesthesia.
Full recovery can take several months to a year. Patients typically resume normal activities within a few weeks, but complete visual improvement and healing may take longer.
Dry eyes can be a concern for contact lens wearers. We offer consultations to discuss solutions like specific lens materials or lubricating eye drops to manage dryness and ensure comfortable lens wear.
The cost of contact lenses varies depending on the type (soft, RGP, specialty), material, and disposable schedule. During your consultation, we’ll provide a transparent breakdown of costs associated with your recommended lenses. We offer various options to fit your budget.
Typically, corneal transplants are done one eye at a time to allow for adequate healing and to monitor the success of each procedure individually.
Many patients still need glasses or contact lenses to achieve their best vision after the surgery. Vision correction needs can vary depending on individual healing and the health of the other parts of the eye.
Corneal transplants have a high success rate, especially compared to other types of tissue transplants. However, success depends on factors like the underlying condition, the patient’s overall health, and adherence to post-operative care.
Post-operative care includes using prescribed eye drops, avoiding strenuous activities, protecting the eye from injury, and attending regular follow-up appointments. Your doctor will provide detailed instructions specific to your case.
Sutures may remain in place for several months to over a year, depending on the healing process. Your doctor will decide when to remove them based on your individual progress.
Keratoconus Treatment & Surgery in Delhi India
Delhi Eye Centre takes pride in being one of the most recognized eye hospitals in Delhi, offering the best services in keratoconus treatment through continual improvements in our systems, technology, and dedicated professionals. We are committed to providing new hope and solutions to all our patients at an affordable cost.
What is Keratoconus?
 Keratoconus is a progressive disease in which the patient’s cornea (the topmost transparent layer of the eye) becomes thin and steep (cone-like). Due to this, the light rays entering the eye don’t focus on a single point, resulting in blurred and distorted vision. Patients may experience shadowing or doubling of images. If left untreated, keratoconus can become severe, leading to significant vision loss. Generally, it affects both eyes differently, and the initial symptoms are most commonly found in late teens.
Delhi Eye Centre is well-equipped with the latest technology and ultra-modern equipment for the early diagnosis and monitoring of keratoconus. We utilize Pentacam (Oculus) technology to detect cases early and to determine the progression of the disease. We have an extremely talented, skilled, and experienced team of eye surgeons in Delhi, offering a wide spectrum of keratoconus treatments that include:
- Corneal Collagen Cross Linking (CXL)
- Contact Lenses (Custom Soft, Gas Permeable, Rose K, Corneal, Scleral, and Mini-scleral)
- Intacs Implants
- Customized Stromal Lenticule Implantation
- Topography-guided Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) combined with CXL
- Corneal Transplant: Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty (DALK), Penetrating Keratoplasty (PK)
The role of collagen cross-linking (CXL) is to arrest the progression of keratoconus. It is a highly effective technology with a success rate of 90-95% in most cases. At Delhi Eye Centre, we have the latest equipment to perform accelerated CXL. We have the capability to operate on even thin corneas with various modifications available to optimize results. In CXL, also known as C3R, we use the interaction of riboflavin dye with UV light to strengthen the cornea. This procedure improves the strength of the collagen bonds in the corneal stroma, thereby making it more rigid. It is a painless procedure, with no injection, pad, or bandage. However, patients may experience mild pain, watering, and blurred vision for 2-3 days after the procedure. We place a special therapeutic lens to relieve these symptoms and also prescribe eye drops.
Frequently Asked Questions
Keratoconus is a condition that thins and weakens the cornea, the clear dome at the front of your eye. This can cause blurry vision, distorted vision, and increased sensitivity to light. At Delhi Eye Center, we use advanced diagnostic tools like corneal topography and pachymetry to assess the shape and thickness of your cornea, allowing for an accurate diagnosis.
CXL is a minimally invasive procedure that strengthens the corneal tissue using ultraviolet light and riboflavin drops. It can help halt the progression of keratoconus and potentially improve your vision. Delhi Eye Center utilizes state-of-the-art technology for precise CXL treatment.
If CXL is not enough to manage your keratoconus, Delhi Eye Center offers advanced solutions like intracorneal rings (ICRs) or corneal transplants. ICRs are tiny rings inserted into the cornea to improve its shape, while corneal transplants involve replacing damaged corneal tissue with healthy donor tissue.
Corneal transplants are performed by experienced surgeons at Delhi Eye Center. The procedure involves removing the diseased corneal tissue and replacing it with a healthy donor cornea. We provide comprehensive pre-operative counseling and meticulous post-operative care to ensure optimal outcomes.
Delhi Eye Center strives to offer effective keratoconus treatment at competitive prices. We can help you explore insurance coverage for your treatment and discuss financing possibilities to make your care accessible.
Dry eyes can be a concern for contact lens wearers. We offer consultations to discuss solutions like specific lens materials or lubricating eye drops to manage dryness and ensure comfortable lens wear.
If you are experiencing blurry vision, distorted vision, or increased sensitivity to light, it’s crucial to schedule an appointment with an ophthalmologist at Delhi Eye Center. Early diagnosis and intervention are essential for managing keratoconus and preserving your vision.