What Is Corneal Disease?
Cataract surgery is a common procedure that aims to remove the cloudy lens in the eye and replace it with an artificial one. Cataracts are usually caused by age-related changes in the eye, but can also be caused by genetics, injury, or other medical conditions.The surgery is typically performed on an outpatient basis using local anesthesia. The surgeon will make a small incision in the eye and use ultrasound technology to break up the cloudy lens into small pieces that can be removed. Once the cataract has been removed, a new intraocular lens (IOL) is implanted to replace the natural lens.
Corneal disease can take many forms, and some of the most common types include:
Corneal Abrasion: A scratch or injury to the cornea that can cause pain, redness, and tearing.
Keratitis : An inflammation of the cornea that can be caused by infection, injury, or an underlying medical condition.
Corneal Dystrophy: A group of inherited conditions that cause abnormal accumulation of material in the cornea. Symptoms may include clouding of the cornea, reduced vision, and glare or halos around lights.
Corneal Ulcer: An open sore on the cornea, often caused by infection. Symptoms may include pain, redness, tearing, sensitivity to light, and blurred vision.
Fuchs' Dystrophy: A condition in which the cells that line the inner surface of the cornea slowly die off, leading to swelling and clouding of the cornea. Symptoms may include blurry or hazy vision, glare, and sensitivity to light.
The Three Main Layers Of The Cornea Are
1. Epithelium: This is the outermost layer of the cornea. It is a thin layer of cells that acts as a protective barrier against the environment. The epithelium also helps to absorb oxygen and nutrients from tears and distribute them to the underlying layers of the cornea.
2. Stroma: This is the thickest layer of the cornea and comprises about 90% of its thickness. It consists of collagen fibers arranged in a specific pattern that gives the cornea its strength and clarity. The stroma is responsible for most of the cornea's refractive power.
3. Endothelium: : This is the innermost layer of the cornea, which is a single layer of cells that helps to maintain the transparency of the cornea by regulating the amount of fluid that enters and leaves the stroma. The endothelium also pumps excess water out of the cornea to keep it from becoming swollen or hazy.
