Corneal Pathology

What is the cornea?

The cornea is called the anterior shell of the eye — its convex transparent part. In order the refraction can be correct, it must remain transparent and regular. Therefore, many problems associated with it and causing visual impairment are caused by corneal opacity.

Types of pathologies

Corneal diseases include:

• Keratitis is an inflammatory process in the cornea.
• Size and shape disorders – microcorneum and macrocorneum
• Dystrophies – these include: keratomalacia ("milky" turbidity), keratoconus (dystrophy and thinning of the shell), keratoglobus (spherical protrusion forward), embryotoxon (ring-shaped turbidity).
• Malignant tumors (extremely rare).

Causes of corneal pathology

All pathological changes here can be divided into congenital (primary) and acquired (secondary). Development occurs as a result of the influence of various factors:

• Genetic features;
• Age-related changes;
• Infectious diseases;
• Illnesses suffered during pregnancy;
• Injuries;
• Malignant tumors;
• Burns;
• Lack of tear fluid;
• Ophthalmological operations;
• Vitamin deficiency;
• Environmental conditions;
• Non-compliance with the rules of use of contact lenses.

Methods of Corneal Disease Treatment

In the Crystal Vision EYE Clinic in Bahrain we adhere to traditional ways of corneal disease treatment: medical, surgical and physiotherapy therapy. They can be applied either independently or in combination.

Keratoplasty (cornea transplant)

Keratoplasty is a surgical intervention that results in the replacement of the entire thickness of the cornea, or its individual layers, with a donor cornea (graft).

There is penetrating keratoplasty: the entire thickness of the cornea, all its layers are replaced, and selective keratoplasty is the replacement of certain layers of the patient's cornea - anterior or posterior.

To learn more about Keratoplasty, please, read our article in the compartment Our Unique Technologies.