CORNEA AND CONTACT LENS SERVICE |
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| CORNEA |
| Corneal Disorder |
The inflammation of the cornea (keratitis) is always a severe disease which is often accompanied by pain and a diminishing of the visual acuity. It may develop with or without a previous injury. The pathogens causing an inflammation of the cornea are bacteria, fungi or viruses of which the herpes virus is the best known.An inflammation of the cornea which is not treated properly can cause interminable suffering and severe disturbances up to the loss of sight of the eye. For this reason, an immediate ophthalmological assessment and - if possible - therapy is absolutely necessary. |
| Injuries |
The cornea is extremely sensitive; that is the reason why even minor injuries can cause intensive pain. Very often, there are superficial grazes (corneal erosion) which heal in a few days' time; occasionally, however, they break out again spontaneously and thus may cause trouble for months. In certain accidents (e.g. hammer & chisel), nevertheless, the foreign body may penetrate into the interior of the eye, there causing a severe damage without immediate pain. Therefore, in every assumed inclusion of a foreign body, an ophthalmologist has to be consulted at once.Cauterizations of the cornea by chemical substances, especially by slaked lime, are particularly serious and require a treatment on the spot by thorough rinsing of the eye followed by an immediate visit to the ophthalmologist. |
| Opacities |
As the consequence of an injury, an inflammation, an eye operation or a degenerative disease process, the cornea may opacify to an extent that the visual acuity is diminished. Depending on the cause, location and extent, the opacity can be removed either mechanically, chemically, with the excimer laser (phototherapeutic keratectomy, PTK) or by a corneal transplantation (keratoplasty) and thus the strength of vision restored. |
| Changes of form |
As the consequence of an injury, an inflammation or a degenerative process (keratoconus), the cornea may lose the even curvature of its surface (irregular astigmatism) and thus its optical quality. In these cases, contact lenses, excimer laser (phototherapeutic keratectomy, PTK) or a corneal transplantation (keratoplasty) can help. |
| Allergies |
Allergies affecting the eye are fairly common. The most common allergies are those related to pollen, particularly when the weather is warm and dry. Symptoms can include redness, itching, tearing, burning, stinging, and watery discharge, although they are not usually severe enough to require medical attention. Allergy symptoms are temporary and can eliminated by not having contact with the offending cosmetic or detergent. |
| CORNEAL DISORDERS |
| Dry Eyes |
The continuous production and drainage of tears is important to the eye's health. Tears keep the eye moist, help wounds heal, and protect against eye infection. In people with dry eye, the eye produces fewer or less quality tears and is unable to keep its surface lubricated and comfortable. Artificial tears, which lubricate the eye, are the principal treatment for dry eye. For people with severe cases of dry eye, temporary or permanent closure of the tear drain (small openings at the inner corner of the eyelids where tears drain from the eye) may be helpful. |
| Fuch’s dystrophy |
Fuchs' dystrophy occurs when endothelial cells gradually deteriorate without any apparent reason. As more endothelial cells are lost over the years, the endothelium becomes less efficient at pumping water out of the stroma. This causes the cornea to swell and distort vision. Eventually, the epithelium also takes on water, resulting in pain and severe visual impairment. When treating the disease, doctors will try first to reduce the swelling with drops, ointments, or soft contact lenses. |
| Keratoconus |
Keratoconus arises when the middle of the cornea thins and gradually bulges outward, forming a rounded cone shape. This abnormal curvature changes the cornea's refractive power, producing moderate to severe distortion (astigmatism) and blurriness (nearsightedness) of vision. Keratoconus may also cause swelling and a sight-impairing scarring of the tissue. |
| Corneal Ulcers(Keratitis) |
Corneal ulcers (keratitis) occur after corneal trauma with a foreign body (including contact lenses), and with dry eyes or lid disease which allow bacteria or fungi to enter the cornea, causing a deep infection and inflammation. This condition may cause severe pain, reduce visual clarity, produce a corneal discharge, and perhaps erode the cornea. As a general rule, the deeper the corneal infection, the more severe the symptoms and complications. It should be noted that microbial infections such as keratitis, although relatively infrequent, are the most serious complication of contact lens wear. |
| Corneal erosion |
A corneal erosion or abrasion can occur when the cornea is scraped or injured. In these cases, there may be a loss of the corneal epithelium, the cornea's outer layer. These painful conditions quite commonly arise after a poke from a baby's fingernail or tree limbs and bushes, or vigorous rubbing of the eye. Sometimes they are caused by contact lenses. Corneal disease can also be a contributing factor. |
| Pterygium |
A pterygium is a growth of scar tissue and blood vessels on the sun-exposed surface of the eye in response to ultraviolet damage from the environment. A pterygium often grows in a "wing" shape (pterygos in Greek is wing), which extends across the cornea towards the pupil. It most often occurs on the inner side of the pupil. Before growing across the cornea there is a scaly red thickening of the conjunctiva known as a pingueculum. Whilst the rednes can be aggravated by wind and other external irritants it is the lack of adequate protection from sunglasses that causes the permanent growth onto the cornea. |
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