CORNEA
The Cornea and External Disease Service of Bangladesh Eye Hospital, Chattogram treats patients with disorders of the cornea and outer coats of the eye, including the conjunctiva and sclera.
Conditions affecting these parts of the eye can cause redness, pain and decreased vision.
Common diagnoses we treat include corneal swelling after cataract surgery, Fuchs corneal dystrophy (which can cause corneal swelling either before or after cataract surgery), keratoconus (thin, irregular cornea often starting in childhood or young adulthood), recurrent erosion syndrome (episodes of eye pain often in the middle of the night or upon awakening). We also treat many patients with symptoms of eye dryness and grittiness, often caused by ocular dryness (not making enough tears) or eyelid inflammation (often from blepharitis or meibomitis when the eyelid oils aren’t produced properly and don’t coat the surface of the eye as they should). We see many patients with herpes simplex eye infections (the same virus that can cause cold sores around the mouth and face) and herpes zoster eye infections (the virus that causes shingles).
For corneal swelling we perform a variety of endothelial keratoplasty procedures which transplant the back layers of the cornea including DMEK (Descemet’s membrane endothelial keratoplasty) and DSEK (Descemet’s stripping endothelial keratoplasty), When deeper layers of the cornea are involved, e.g. for keratoconus, then we perform other types of corneal transplantation such as DALK (deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty) and PK (penetrating keratoplasty). When the cornea problems are more superficial, we can often treat them with excimer laser PTK (phototherapeutic keratectomy).
For eyelid inflammation not responding to medical therapy, we offer an in-office Lipiflow procedure which can often improve dryness symptoms by clearing out the Meibomian glands.
We are also involved in the latest refractive surgery procedures to treat nearsightedness, astigmatism and farsightedness, including PRK and LASIK.
Our Service includes a full-time staff of attending surgeons, fellows and residents. Each patient is carefully examined by one or more physicians and then given an individualized treatment plan, based on the latest and best therapies. We are dedicated to improving vision, preventing corneal and external diseases of the eye and providing the best patient care available.
Dr. Tanuja Tanzin
CONSULTANT OPHTHALMOLOGIST
MBBS, MCPS, MS (Ophthalmology)
Assistance Professor
Department Of Ophthalmology
Chattogram Medical College Hospital
Fellowship in cornea & Anterior Segment, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India
Fellowship in cornea & Refractive surgery, Moran Eye Center, Utah, USA
Department’s Services
Keratoplasty
Collagen cross linking
Corneal topography
Stem cell transplant
Amniotic membrane transplant
Corneal ulcer treatment
Useful info and health tips
KERATOCONUS
Progressive central/inferocentral corneal thinning and irregularity. It usually develops during teenage or young adulthood years, but can occur later. Almost always bilateral but typically asymmetric.
FUCHS’ DYSTROPHY
Fuchs’ dystrophy, also called endothelial dystrophy, is a disease that affects the cornea. Healthy endothelial cells are required to keep the cornea clear, but with Fuchs’, the endothelial cells on the back layer of the cornea are not normal. Most patients with Fuchs dystrophy have a very mild form that never affects their vision. When it does affect vision, it usually occurs in middle age or later. In later stages, it can cause pain.
CORNEAL DYSTROPHIES AND SCARS
Corneal dystrophies are inherited conditions that affect the clarity of the cornea. They usually affect both eyes and can involve the front, middle or back layers of the cornea. They tend to get worse over time. Corneal scars are opacities that affect the clarity of the cornea and consequently, the vision. Scars can result from corneal infection, trauma, or other reasons. Depending on the severity, location and depth of the opacity, these corneas can be treated with surgical removal with a blade or laser (phototherapeutic keratectomy-PTK) or partial or full thickness corneal transplantation.
CORNEAL ULCER
The cornea can develop an infection. Such infections can be mild to severe. Risk factors for infection include contact lens wear, eye trauma and certain corneal conditions. Mild infections are often treated with frequent antibiotic drops. More severe infections may be cultured in the office or emergency room and then treated with frequent specially-made fortified antibiotics around the clock. Patients with severe corneal ulcers are seen regularly, often every day, until the infection appears to be improving. Most corneal ulcers resolve with antibiotic drop treatment. Depending on the amount of residual scarring the vision may or may not return to normal. Rarely, an infection is so severe that an emergent corneal transplant is required.
