Ophthamology

Ophthamology

Manned by our top consultants providing detailed eye examinations from the adnexa (outer eye) to the retina (inside of the eye). Serves patients exhibiting all eye conditions from allergic conjunctivitis, cataracts, and squints to corneal diseases. In this clinic we provide the following treatment and management plans on the following conditions: Cataract, which are are most commonly due to aging and Keratoconus, a degenerative disorder of the eye in which affects the cornea.

Treatment and Management Plan

1. Cataract: Most common due to aging but may also occur due to trauma or radiation exposure, be present from birth, or occur following eye surgery for other problems. Risk factors include diabetes, smoking tobacco, prolonged exposure to sunlight, and alcohol. Clumps of protein or yellow-brown pigment may be deposited in the lens reducing the transmission of light to the retina at the back of the eye. Diagnosis is by an eye examination.
Prevention includes wearing sunglasses and not smoking. Early on the symptoms may be improved with eyeglasses. If this does not help, surgery to remove the cloudy lens and replace it with an artificial lens is the only effective treatment. Surgery is only needed if the cataracts are causing problems and generally results in an improved quality of life. There are two kinds of surgeries:

• Small Incision Cataract Surgery (SICS): One of the cataract surgical techniques commonly used in developing countries. This technique usually results in a good visual outcome and is useful for high-volume cataract surgery.
• Phacoemulsification: Is a procedure in which an ultrasonic device is used to break up and then remove a cloudy lens, or cataract, from the eye to improve vision. The insertion of an intraocular lens (IOL) usually immediately follows phacoemulsification.

In most cases, spectacles are required for reading post surgery. In some cases, depending on the state of the eye pre-surgery, spectacles may be required for both far and near vision.

2. Keratoconus: A degenerative disorder of the eye in which structural changes within the cornea cause it to thin and change to a more conical shape than the more normal gradual curve. Keratoconus can cause substantial distortion of vision, with multiple images, streaking and sensitivity to light all often reported by the person. It is typically diagnosed in the person’s adolescent years.
Treatment plans include:

• Spectacles: Corrective spectacles are prescribed to improve vision. The condition may progress regardless of wearing spectacles.
• Contact Lenses: Depending on the extent of the condition and health of the cornea, contact lenses are prescribed to improve vision and slow down its progression. Rigid gas permeable lenses or sclera lenses are generally prescribed for these patients.
• Corneal Cross Linking: Corneal collagen cross-linking is a technique which uses UV light and a photosensitizer to strengthen chemical bonds in the cornea. The goal of the treatment is to halt progressive and irregular changes in corneal shape known as ectasia. These ectatic changes are typically marked by corneal thinning and an increase in the anterior and/or posterior curvatures of the cornea, and often lead to high levels of myopia and astigmatism.Spectacle or contact lens correction is generally needed after cross linking to improve vision.
• Corneal Transplant/Grafting: This is a surgical procedure where a damaged or diseased cornea is replaced by donated corneal tissue (the graft). When the entire cornea is replaced it is known as penetrating keratoplasty and when only part of the cornea is replaced it is known as lamellar keratoplasty. Keratoplasty simply means surgery to the cornea. The graft is taken from a recently deceased individual with no known diseases or other factors that may affect the chance of survival of the donated tissue or the health of the recipient. Spectacle or contact lens correction is generally needed after cross linking to improve vision.