Our eyes are a natural miracle. Various intricate processes take place within our eyes, which enable us to see the world outside. There are various parts of our eyes like the cornea and retina that work in unison and perform various vital functions. For instance, the cornea performs refractional tasks and focuses the light on the retina.
Our cornea is very important, however, due to old age, certain medical conditions, or accidents, it can get damaged. This can lead to various eye conditions, which can manifest as certain signs and symptoms.
Signs and Symptoms of Corneal Problems
Amongst all the layers of our eyes, the cornea lies at the top. So, if there is something wrong with our eyes, we are going to feel its negative impact in some way. So, let’s have a look at a few symptoms related to corneal problems:
- Clouded or Blurry Vision: The person affected might not be able to view things clearly. As the cornea focuses the light on the retina, this is the first and the most prominent sign that something is wrong with one’s cornea.
- Feeling Nauseous, Fatigue, or Headache: Feeling like you are about to vomit or tiredness or extreme pain in the head.
- Light Sensitivity: Bright lights may induce pain and a lot of discomfort.
- Excessive Tearing: It is possible that the person suffering from corneal problems may start producing a lot of tears without any rhyme or reason.
- Eye Pain, Redness, and Feeling of an External Body Inside Eyes: Eyes might become red and start to pain, causing a lot of problems for the patient. Some might feel that there is something stuck in their eyes, which might not be the case in reality.
Apart from these prominent signs of corneal damage, a person might also experience corneal ulcers, corneal scarring, or swelling.
An individual symptom does not always indicate a problem with the cornea. However, if you have two or more symptoms mentioned, it is worth getting an eye checkup done by an eye specialist who has expertise in corneal surgery.
What Causes Cornea Problems?
Cornea problems arise because of a number of reasons, some are simple while others are complex and harder to diagnose. So, let’s have a look at the major causes:
Infections due to bacteria and viruses
Just like the rest of our body, our eyes are also susceptible to various bacteria and viruses floating in the air or found in water/food, etc. Viruses like ocular herpes, herpes zoster, and bacteria like keratitis can have a significant impact on the health of the cornea. Even fungal and parasitic infections can lead to cornea problems.
Physical trauma, exposure, and injuries
Physical trauma and exposure to certain chemicals and UV radiations can also lead to corneal issues.
Genetic problems
Keratoconus and Fuchs Dystrophy are two of the primary causes of cornea problems. While keratoconus causes the thinning of the cornea, Fuch’s Dystrophy is a progressive condition that negatively impacts the corneal endothelium.
Apart from these well-known problems, autoimmune diseases, nutritional deficiencies and underlying health conditions like diabetes can also lead to corneal damage.
How to Fix Corneal Damage if You Experience the Signs?
If you are experiencing the signs of corneal damage, you must visit an eye specialist with a good understanding of this disease. In Australia, A/Prof Chameen Samarawickrama is recognized as an expert in corneal problems and is the most suitable eye surgeon for remedying this disease.
The solution to corneal damage is corneal graft surgery, also known as keratoplasty. This surgery helps you get your eyesight and vision clarity back and has one of the highest success rates when performed by qualified eye surgeons.
Corneal Graft Surgery
What is Corneal Graft Surgery?
Corneal graft surgery, or keratoplasty, involves replacing a damaged or diseased cornea with a healthy donor cornea to restore vision, alleviate pain, and improve corneal appearance.
The Procedure
During the procedure, the patient receives local anaesthesia with sedation or general anaesthesia. The surgeon removes the central portion of the damaged cornea using a precise cutting instrument.
After that, a matching-sized piece of the donor cornea, rigorously tested for health and compatibility, is then carefully placed and stitched into position with fine sutures.
Postoperative Care and Recovery
Postoperative care includes medication to prevent infection and rejection, and follow-up visits to monitor healing and adjust sutures if necessary.
Recovery can take several months, with vision gradually improving as the eye heals. This surgery is highly effective in treating conditions like keratoconus, corneal scarring, and corneal dystrophies, offering patients significant improvements in vision and quality of life.
Final Thoughts
Spotting the symptoms of cornea damage at the earliest provides you with a very good chance of recovering from the problem. If you spot multiple symptoms like eye pain, lack of clarity in vision, and eye swelling, you should visit a capable and competent doctor like A/Prof Chameen Samarawickrama and get the corneal graft surgery done at the earliest.