Dr. Pradhan is a Board Certified Ophthalmologist, specializing in many conditions of the eye, including ones involving the cornea. The cornea is a highly organized group of cells that is the outermost structure of the eye. The cornea plays an important role in your vision, and if damaged or misshapen, can distort and impair your vision. Dr. Pradhan is a fellowship-trained expert in corneal diseases and can help you if you’re experiencing vision problems. Please read further to learn more about corneal diseases and find more resources on the cornea.
What is the Cornea? What are Corneal Diseases?
Information on Corneal Diseases – NIH Website
What is Keratoconus?
Keratoconus is a disease of the cornea where parts of it may be thin and abnormally dome-shaped. This will distort your vision. Your doctor can monitor your cornea with a slit lamp examination as well as topography and anterior segment OCT.
In its early stages, keratoconus patients can see well with glasses, or may need contact lenses to see well. At it’s moderate stage, the cornea may become so distorted that glasses or contact lens do not help your vision. At the mild and moderate stages of the disease, collagen crosslinking, now FDA approved as of 2016, can help stop the progression of the disease as well as provide some reversal. This is the first time we can stop the progression of keratoconus which is amazing. At the severe stage, the cornea may need a corneal transplantation for visual rehabilitation.
Dr. Pradhan is a board-certified ophthalmologist and fellowship-trained Cornea specialist who can help determine what the next course of action is for your corneal disease. She has experience with collagen cross-linking although she does not offer this service anymore.
What is Keratoconus? EyeSmart Website
National Keratoconus Foundation
What is the Research Being Done on Keratoconus?
O’Brart et al published a paper showing that after collagen-crosslinking, both the topography and vision improved upto 5 years and maintained over 7 years without need for re-treatment. “Corneal Cross-linking to Halt the Progression of Keratoconus and Corneal Ectasia: Seven-Year Follow-up”. American Journal Ophthalmol 205; 160(6):1154-1163.
What is Fuchs’ Dystrophy?
Fuchs’ dystrophy is a hereditary disorder that commonly presents in the 5th and 6th decade of life. Fuchs’ Dystrophy is where the pump cell layer of the cornea develops abnormal protein deposits (guttata) which can distort your vision, especially after a period of time when your eyes are closed, like after a nap. The pump cells are responsible for pumping the fluid out of your cornea and keeping your cornea clear. We are born with a certain number of pump cells and we do not get anymore after birth. If your corneal pump cells start degenerating faster than the normal rate with guttata buildup or due to trauma, the cornea can become swollen. If the cornea becomes so swollen that you cannot see or you start having pain from your swollen cornea, you may need a corneal transplantation.
Fortunately, partial-thickness corneal transplantation for this condition has changed the way we practice medicine. Partial-thickness corneal transplants are beneficial because they result in a faster recovery and lower chance of rejection. Known as DSEAK or DMEK, these transplants can help you recover your vision faster than the older full-thickness corneal transplants. DSEAK is short for Descemet’s Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty and DMEK is an acronym for Descemet’s Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty.
For more information on Fuchs’ Dystrophy and corneal transplantation, please visit the sites below.
What is Fuchs’ Dystrophy? EyeSmart Website
Where can I learn about corneal transplantation?
EyeBank Association of America
Donate Life Virginia
Visit Your Glen Allen Ophthalmologist
Our eye specialist, Dr. Pradhan, has experience in treating many corneal diseases and other conditions of the eye. If you are experiencing problems with your eyes or eyesight, visit our Glen Allen ophthalmologist’s office to get your eyes checked by an eye professional. Contact our office today.