The cornea is the clear outer layer in the front of the eye. It helps your eye to focus light so you can see clearly. The cornea can get damaged due to disease, infection or injury. This leads to scars that can make it difficult for you to see.

Causes

Allergies

Allergies to pollen can cause irritation and pink eye

Genetics

Some corneal conditions run in families and one can inherit a propensity for the condition

Small abrasions

Scratches and scrapes on the corneal surface may cause vision impairment

Chemical injuries

Exposure to corrosive substances can cause damage and irritation to the cornea

Foreign bodies

When foreign bodies like a particle of dust or a metal shard enter the eye

Ultraviolet injuries

Triggered by sunlight, sun lamps, snow or water reflections, or arc-welding

Allergies

Allergies to pollen can cause irritation and pink eye

Genetics

Some corneal conditions run in families and one can inherit a propensity for the condition

Small abrasions

Scratches and scrapes on the corneal surface may cause vision impairment

Chemical injuries

Exposure to corrosive substances can cause damage and irritation to the cornea

Foreign bodies

When foreign bodies like a particle of dust or a metal shard enter the eye

Ultraviolet injuries

Triggered by sunlight, sun lamps, snow or water reflections, or arc-welding

Symptoms

Corneal diseases are serious and if left untreated, can lead to permanent vision loss. Watch out for these symptoms:

Eye pain - ranging from mild to severe

Watery eyes

Blurred vision

Redness or bloodshot
eyes

Tearing

Extreme sensitivity to light

Pus or discharge from
the eyes

Reduced sharpness of vision

Infection management

Trauma care

Dry eye and DES management

Contact lens clinic

Our qualified and experienced professionals conduct a thorough assessment of your ocular surface. Then, they prescribe appropriate contact lenses for optimal comfort and vision. The types of lenses we offer include:

Ocular surface reconstruction

This service caters to a wide range of ocular surface conditions like dry eye, ocular allergies, Steven Johnson syndrome, and chemical injuries.

Corneal collagen cross-linking

This is a minimally invasive procedure used to prevent corneal conditions such as keratoconus (thinning and bulging of the cornea) from progressing.

Corneal transplantation services

Corneal transplantation is a surgery used to replace a damaged cornea with a healthy, donated cornea. The purpose is:

Keratoplasty or cornea transplant may be combined with cataract surgery and IOL implantation. Paediatric keratoplasty may be done in paediatric patients for visual improvement in cases with congenital corneal conditions or for treating corneal ulcers not responding to medical management.

We regularly perform optical keratoplasty, endothelial keratoplasty and lamellar keratoplasty.

Customised laser refractive surgery

We are equipped with the latest state-of-the-art machines that help correct a wide range of refractive errors such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism using laser vision correction.

Procedures offered at K K Eye Institute:

Other diagnostic services

Pachymetry

Measurement of the thickness of the cornea with ultrasound

Specular Microscopy

Study of the corneal endothelium

AS-OCT

Captures corneal thickness, anterior chamber depth, anterior chamber angle evaluation, and depth of corneal lesions

Anterior Segment Digital Photography

Photographic capture of corneal conditions for baseline documentation and to monitor for any disease progression or effects of therapy

Topolyser

Combines non-contact corneal topography, keratometry and pupillometry in one device. It is an advanced corneal mapping device used to perform topography-guided custom ablation treatment/contoura LASIK

General Topography (Pentacam)

Utilises Scheimpflug imaging technology to capture high-quality images of the cornea, for detailed analysis of its structure and shape

Elevating your healing journey
through innovation

Our infrastructure and technology

Schedule your appointment with us today
and see clearly tomorrow.

FAQS

Corneal disease refers to a range of conditions that affect the cornea, the clear, dome-shaped surface covering the front of the eye.

Corneal diseases that affect the front central part of your eye can cause blindness. In some cases when medications are insufficient, surgical intervention is necessary. A corneal transplant is a procedure wherein the entire cornea or specific layers are replaced using clear corneal tissue. It is then transplanted into the patient’s eye.

Corneal disease is diagnosed through a comprehensive eye examination like visual acuity testing, slit-lamp examination, corneal topography, and pachymetry to measure corneal thickness. Additional tests, such as corneal confocal microscopy or corneal endothelial cell counts, may also be needed.

Recovery time varies depending on the type of corneal surgery performed. Generally, you may experience improved vision within a few weeks to months after surgery. Post-operative care includes using prescribed medications (such as eye drops), regular follow-up appointments, and avoiding activities that may strain the eyes.

While corneal treatments are generally safe, potential risks and complications may include infection, inflammation, graft rejection (in the case of corneal transplantation), and vision changes. These risks are minimised through careful pre-operative evaluation and post-operative monitoring at K K Eye Institute.

To schedule a consultation with one of our ophthalmologists specialising in corneal treatments, please contact our hospital's reception desk. We will be happy to assist you in setting up an appointment at your convenience. You can also book your appointment online.