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CategoriesCornea,  Ophthalmology

Keratoplasty: Everything You Need To Know Prior To The Transplant

Keratoplasty: Everything You Need To Know Prior To The Transplant

The cornea is an essential component of the eye that influences vision. If it is damaged, a person’s eyesight may become blurry or distorted. In the worst cases, they may become blind. There are treatments available to improve the cornea. One is keratoprosthesis, which will replace it with an artificial one; however, this can be expensive, require high surgical technique, and cause complications. A popular alternative with less risk involved is keratoplasty. We will examine this transplant in detail in this blog.

What is keratoplasty?

It is the term given to a Corneal Transplant Dubai . It involves a surgical procedure that replaces a part of the cornea with tissue from a donor. The cornea is the clear dome-shaped section of the eye. Light enters this area before being directed towards the retina. Here, it will be converted into signals sent to the brain to be changed into an image.

Suppose there is a problem with the cornea. In that case, the light will not be correctly focused on the retina, which will result in blurry or distorted vision. Keratoplasty will replace the damaged portion of the cornea with healthy tissue, thereby reducing pain, restoring sight, and improving the appearance of the eye.

This procedure is mostly successful; however, there is a small risk of potential complications, including the body’s rejection of the donor cornea. If this happens, medical treatment will be necessary. In severe cases, another transplant will be needed.

Whom can it be used for?

The transplant is recommended if a person has one or more of the following, and other forms of cornea treatments have failed to work.

  • Corneal ulcers caused by an infection
  • Corneal scarring
  • Keratoconus
  • Thinning, swelling, or clouding of the cornea
  • Eye diseases that are inherited, such as Fuchs’ dystrophy
  • Complications resulting from a previous eye surgery

What are the different methods of corneal transplant?

There are three main methods of keratoplasty. Which one will be used depends on the surgeon. All of them aim to replace corneal tissue, either wholly or partially, with healthy tissue from a suitable donor.

Penetrating keratoplasty
It replaces the entire thickness of the cornea. The surgeon would cut through the part and remove a circular, button-sized tissue with a special instrument. Then an identical amount of tissue is removed from the donor cornea and is placed in the opening of the patient’s one. The surgeon will then use temporary sutures to keep it in place.

Endothelial keratoplasty
It removes the weakened tissue from the corneal layers located towards the back. The donor tissue will then replace the removed ones.

Anterior lamellar keratoplasty
It removes the diseased tissue located in the corneal layers at the front but leaves the back. Depending on the extent of cornea damage, the procedure could target only the front layers or go farther into the stroma. Regardless of which one is used, the healthy donor tissue will be grafted to replace the removed one.

Most of the people who receive keratoplasty treatment will regain their vision to at least some extent. As the donor tissue will not be a perfect substitute for one’s own 20-20 vision will be challenging to achieve; however, there will still be a vast improvement. Depending on the reason why the surgery was recommended, one can expect specific results. There is still a small risk of complications, and cornea rejection is possible; therefore, a person will need to visit an eye consultant clinic for regular check-ups.

CategoriesCornea,  Ophthalmology

5 Major Eye Infections That Can Lead To Permanent Corneal Blindness

5 Major Eye Infections That Can Lead To Permanent Corneal Blindness

The cornea plays a crucial role in vision. Injuries or diseases to this part of the eye can cause visual distortions and even lead to blindness. Below are five primary eye conditions that can lead to corneal blindness.

Cornea & Its Diseases

The cornea is the clear front part of the eye that reflects light. It also acts as a barrier and protects the eye’s internal components from dust particles and harmful bacteria. This part of the eye is also capable of filtering UV rays up to a certain extent.

Epithelium, stroma, and endothelium are the three layers of the cornea. Corneal diseases are disorders or injuries that damage the cornea due to infections or other types of degenerations. These can result in scars and different types of discoloration that can distort the vision.

5 Major Eye Conditions That Can Lead To Corneal Blindness

1. Keratitis

Keratitis is a corneal inflammation that occurs due to infection by bacteria or fungi. During an injury, these microorganisms can enter the eye and affect the cornea. Keratitis is a common eye condition and can be experienced by contact lens wearers more frequently. The symptoms include;

  • Red eyes
  • Light sensitivity
  • Eye discharge
  • Blurry eyes
  • Excessive tearing


It is essential to take treatments for keratitis condition, as it can worsen over time. Your eye consultant will prescribe eye drops or oral medications to treat the disease.

2. Ocular Herpes

Eye herpes is an eye condition caused by a virus named herpes simplex virus (HSV). It can extend to the middle layers of the cornea, causing severe damage, leading to vision loss or blindness. It is the most common cause of corneal blindness. The symptoms include;

  • Inflammation
  • Pain
  • Redness
  • Corneal tearing


Immediate antiviral treatment is required for ocular herpes condition. Eye drops, ointment, or drugs can help minimize cornea damage and vision loss. Even though herpes cannot be completely cured, the damage can be minimized with proper medication during each outbreak.

3. Keratoconus

This is a condition where the cornea gets thin over time and changes its shape. The problem usually causes irregular astigmatism and nearsightedness. Keratoconus can lead to scarring and swelling of the cornea, causing vision loss. A few reasons behind the cause are;

  •  Eye trauma
  •  Eye diseases
  •  Hereditary conditions


The condition’s initial stages can be corrected with glasses or soft contact lenses, whereas severe stages require corneal transplantation.

4. Shingles

Herpes zoster or shingles is the chickenpox virus’s return where it remains inactive within the body nerves. They travel down these nerves affecting different parts of the body, which includes the eye. It can cause blisters or lesions on the cornea. Symptoms include;

  • Fever
  • Pain


Generally, anti-viral treatments are provided to treat the condition. Chronic conditions may require the use of eye drops for extended periods or the need for corneal surgery.

5. Fuch’s Dystrophy

This is a gradual deterioration of the corneal endothelium, the innermost layer of the cornea. This layer is involved in maintaining the corneal clarity acting as a fluid pump to remove excess water. When these cells weaken, swelling can occur, resulting in blurred vision. Haze and small blisters can appear, causing pain and irritation.

Eye drops, ointments, or corneal transplant surgery are required as treatment depending on the condition’s stage. 

Paying attention to eye health can prevent the occurrence of corneal diseases by infections. You are required to avoid sharing eye makeup, contact solutions, and cases and practice daily hygiene practices to stay away from these contagious diseases.

Regular visits to the eye clinic can help prevent hereditary conditions with earlier diagnoses. Cornea Specialist in Dubai emphasized the importance of visiting them every six months as vision can be preserved with early detection and treatment.

Quironsalud is a Spanish clinic in Dubai, offering a wide range of treatments for eye problems through cutting-edge technologies. Contact us today or learn more about our services through our website. 

CategoriesCornea,  Ophthalmology

Corneal Scarring Understanding The Primary Causes Symptoms Of This Condition

Corneal Scarring Understanding The Primary Causes Symptoms Of This Condition

Broken bones, also known as bone fractures, are a leading cause of why people seek medical help in orthopedic clinics in Dubai. Depending on its severity, you may even need urgent attention from the accident and emergency unit. They can occur for various reasons and typically require medication and treatment to ensure your bone can heal correctly. We will examine this condition in-depth in this article.

What are bone fractures?

It is a medical condition where there is a break or a crack in your bone. While bones are strong, they can break if the force exerted on the bone is greater than it can withstand or are constantly exposed to continuous pressure. Therefore, weakening and causing them to break and change their shape. The fracture could be complete or partial and can occur in numerous ways: lengthwise, crosswise, or separate into several smaller pieces. The most vulnerable sites for fractures are the wrist, hip, and ankle.

What are the causes?

As mentioned above, fractures can occur when your bone comes into contact with a strong force, for example, meeting with a car crash, falling on hard ground, or being impacted by falling objects. They can also occur if you are exposed to a repetitive force that can gradually affect your bones and cause a break, such as running long distances or repeatedly jumping up and down. The latter is called stress fractures and typically occur in athletes or older adults.

Another cause is medical conditions that can weaken bones. Some of the most prominent ones are osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, or brittle bone disease. When medical conditions cause fractures, bone specialists call them pathological fractures.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms of fractures depend on which bone is affected, the severity of the injury, and a patient’s age and health. However, typically, you would have one or more of the following.

  • Pain
  • Bruising
  • Swelling
  • Angulation – the area that is affected, could be bent at an abnormal angle
  • Discolored skin near the area that is affected
  • A grating sensation on the affected joint or bone
  • You could have difficulty applying weight to the area
  • Difficulty moving the affected area
  • Bleeding


If a large bone is affected, you may have more severe symptoms such as:

  • You will appear more pale and sweaty
  • You could have nausea
  • You may feel dizzy

What is the treatment?

When you notice symptoms of a fracture, depending on its location, you should not move until a healthcare professional is present. If you are in a dangerous place, you can relocate to safer ground, but do not apply pressure or move the affected areas. If your symptoms are manageable and you can walk, you can visit the accident and emergency unit.

You will be given one or more tests to diagnose the fracture and determine its severity, such as x-rays, bone scans, CT scans, or MRI. Then, depending on the results, your doctor may give you a cast or a splint, which immobilizes the bone and straightens it so it can heal. You may also be given traction to stretch the muscles and tendons around the affected bone and align it.

If the fracture is severe, you will have to undergo orthopedic surgery, which involves using screws, plates, or frames to steady the bone and allow it to heal.

If you suspect a fracture, you need to consult our medical clinic. We will examine the break and provide you the necessary treatment or direct you to our orthopedic surgeon in Dubai for surgery.