Cornea External Diseases...PTERYGIUM(pugita in Pilipino)? It is a triangular-shaped flesh invading onto the cornea usually on the nasal side of the eye. It is thought to be associated with environmental factors such as ultraviolet light exposure and dryness. Should it be surgically removed? Surgery is indicated in cases of progression towards the center of the cornea or for cosmetic reasons. However, recurrences are common depending on surgical technique (range: 15 - 40%) KERATOCONUS? It is a fairly common, progressive eye condition in which the cornea becomes thin and bulges forward in a conical manner. The condition usually starts between the age of 10-20 years and progresses slowly. Both eyes are affected in about 85% of patients, but one eye may be worse than the other eye. How do I know if I have keratoconus? Blurring of vision caused by increasing astigmatism and near-sightedness is the most common symptom. Patient often reports the need for frequent changes in their glasses. There are other signs, which can be detected by an ophthalmologist during an eye examination. Here at American Eye Center, we have an equipment, the Corneal Topographer TMS2, which has a software that helps confirm the diagnosis of keratoconus. What are my treatment options?
1. Glasses in very mild cases
VIRAL CONJUNCTIVITIS or SORE EYES? There are many different types of conjunctivitis depending on the cause such as infections (bacterial, viral, etc.), allergies and chemicals. Not all of them are equal, but the most common is viral conjunctivitis commonly known as "sore eyes." What are the symptoms? This is usually bilateral, but one eye is affected first and more severely than the other eye. There is eye redness, slight pain, tearing and eyelid swelling, which lasts 2-3 weeks. Is treatment necessary? This is generally self-limiting. There is currently no specific antiviral treatment at present. Steroid eye drops are indicated only if the eye is very uncomfortable. Cold compresses help a lot in relieving some of the symptoms. How do I prevent transmission to the rest of my family? Frequent hand washing is a must. Avoid sharing personal items such as towels. Use tissue if you need to wipe the eye, and throw it away immediately. CORNEAL ULCER? This is an infection of the cornea, which can potentially lead to blindness. It is caused by a variety of infectious organisms such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Bacterial causes are associated with soft contact lens wear or any condition that disrupts the eye's defense mechanism such as trauma or dry eyes. Fungal ulcers are usually associated with vegetable matter injury or with prolonged topical steroid use. What are the symptoms? Patients usually report severe pain, redness, tearing, discharge, eyelid swelling and the presence of a "white spot" on the cornea. How is this diagnosed and treated? A sample from the infected cornea is sent to the lab for identification of the infectious organism. After which, topical antibiotic treatment at frequent intervals is started. However, if the infection does not resolve, a corneal transplantation may be necessary. CORNEAL TRANSPLANTATION? Corneal transplantation is an operation, which replaces abnormal corneal tissue with a healthy one from a human donor.
What are the general indications for corneal transplantation?
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