Cornea Specialist in Mumbai

What is the cornea?

The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped front window of the eye. It is the eye's most powerful focusing surface — contributing roughly two-thirds of its total focusing power — and it must remain transparent and evenly curved for vision to be sharp. Unlike most tissues, the cornea has no blood vessels; it stays clear through a precise balance of hydration maintained by its innermost cell layer.

Why corneal clarity and shape matter

Light entering the eye passes first through the cornea. Two properties determine how well it works:

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• Transparency. Scarring, swelling, infection or deposits scatter light and blur vision, much like a fogged window.
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• Curvature. The cornea's smooth, even curve focuses light accurately. Conditions such as keratoconus distort this curve, producing irregular astigmatism that ordinary glasses cannot fully correct.
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Corneal anatomy in brief

The cornea is about half a millimetre thick in the centre and is organised in layers, each clinically important:

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• Epithelium — the fast-healing surface layer; scratches here are painful but usually heal quickly.
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• Bowman's layer — a tough acellular sheet beneath the epithelium; injuries here can scar.
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• Stroma — about 90% of corneal thickness; its precisely arranged collagen gives the cornea strength and clarity. Keratoconus weakens this layer, and LASIK reshapes it.
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• Descemet's membrane — a thin basement layer that can regenerate.
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• Endothelium — a single innermost cell layer that pumps fluid out of the cornea. These cells do not regenerate meaningfully; their failure causes corneal swelling and is treated with endothelial transplantation such as DSAEK.
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Symptoms of corneal problems

Corneal tissue is densely supplied with nerves, so even small problems can be very uncomfortable. Symptoms that warrant examination include:

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• Eye pain or a gritty, foreign-body sensation
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• Redness that persists or worsens
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• Blurred, distorted or fluctuating vision
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• Light sensitivity (photophobia)
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• Excessive watering or discharge
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• Frequent changes in spectacle power, or astigmatism that glasses correct poorly
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• A visible white spot or opacity on the cornea
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Common corneal diseases

Keratoconus

Progressive thinning and bulging of the cornea into a cone-like shape, causing irregular astigmatism and distorted vision. It often begins in the teens or twenties. Management ranges from glasses and speciality contact lenses to corneal cross-linking and, in advanced cases, transplantation. Read the keratoconus guide.

Corneal infections and ulcers

Bacterial, viral, fungal or parasitic infections can ulcerate the cornea. Contact lens wear is a major risk factor. Treatment depends on the organism identified and must begin promptly. About corneal ulcers.

Corneal dystrophies

Inherited, usually bilateral conditions in which material accumulates in one or more corneal layers. Some cause recurrent painful erosions; others gradually cloud vision. About corneal dystrophies.

Corneal scars and degenerations

Scars may follow infection, injury or surgery; degenerations such as pterygium or band keratopathy develop over time. Effect on vision depends on location and density. About corneal scars.

Ocular surface disease and dry eye

The tear film, conjunctiva, corneal epithelium and limbal stem cells function as one unit. Dry eye, allergic disease and limbal stem cell deficiency all disturb this surface. About ocular surface disease · About dry eye.

How corneal disease is diagnosed

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• Slit-lamp biomicroscopy — magnified examination of each corneal layer.
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• Corneal topography — maps front-surface curvature; central to keratoconus detection and LASIK screening.
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• Corneal tomography — three-dimensional assessment including the back corneal surface.
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• Pachymetry — measures corneal thickness for diagnosis and surgical planning.
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• Tear film and ocular surface tests — tear break-up time, staining and gland assessment.
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• Laboratory tests — corneal scrapings for microscopy and culture when infection is suspected.
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Treatment options

Treatment is matched to the diagnosis, severity and the layer involved:

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• Medical therapy — lubricants, anti-inflammatory, anti-infective or anti-allergy medication as appropriate.
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• Corneal cross-linking — aims to stiffen the cornea and help stabilise keratoconus progression.
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• Speciality contact lenses — rigid, hybrid or scleral lenses can restore functional vision in irregular corneas.
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• Laser procedures — in selected cases, excimer laser (e.g. phototherapeutic keratectomy) can smooth superficial scars or dystrophies.
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• Corneal transplantation — full-thickness (penetrating keratoplasty), deep anterior lamellar (DALK) or endothelial (DSAEK) transplantation, chosen by which layers are diseased.
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Dr. Shraddha's clinical approach

As a cornea specialist, Dr. Shraddha begins with detailed imaging before any treatment decision, explains findings using your own scans, and recommends the least invasive option that can reasonably achieve the goal — reserving surgery for eyes that genuinely need it. Where transplantation is required, she plans the specific technique (full-thickness, DALK or DSAEK) around the layers involved.

Consultation at Sentra Clinic & Hospital

Cornea consultations, imaging and procedures are provided at Sentra Clinic & Hospital, Malad East, Mumbai. To arrange an evaluation, request an appointment or visit the main Sentra website.

Information on this page is for general education and does not replace an examination, diagnosis or personalised medical advice from a qualified eye-care professional.

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