Cornea & Refractive Surgery

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warrant detailed microscopic examinations and procedures including corneal scraping for microscopic examinations, cultures and sensitivity and corneal biopsy to know corneal pathologies. Also, AS-OCT and anterior segment imaging  is done to know the location and extent of pathology.

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The department of  refractive surgery deals with procedures that can correct refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism and improve vision in patients. They help reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses. The procedures available include LASIK, TransPRK, Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) surgery and Intracorneal Ring Segment (ICRS) surgery.

Doctors

Dr. Swapna Nair

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Procedures

Keratoplasties

There are surgeries that restore the integrity and vision of the eyes. It involves a cornea transplant from

a donor to a host. It involves full thickness and lamellar corneal transplants. Lamellar surgeries are

recently evolved procedures that have a lower rejection rate. They are needed in conditions like severe

corneal melts, severe trauma, keratoconus, corneal scars, ocular surface neoplasias, and corneal

decompensation which may be natural or surgically induced.

Cornea collagen cross-linking (C3R)

There are minimally invasive procedures used to prevent the progression of corneal ectasia such as

keratoconus and post-LASIK ectasia. The procedure is used to strengthen the cornea and to halt the

progressive corneal thinning conditions using riboflavin and ultraviolet light.

Phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK)

Amniotic membrane transplant

PTK uses an excimer laser to treat a variety of corneal surface disorders like corneal degenerations,

dystrophies, epithelial defects, irregularities, and superficial stromal scars. It can also treat

complications from other procedures like LASIK and PRK.

Amniotic membrane transplant is used to treat severe corneal thinning disorders with inflammation to

reconstruct the ocular surface as a graft for ocular surface melts and as a bandage to promote healing

in cases of persistent epithelial defects or ocular surface inflammation. The procedure reduces

inflammation and stops further thinning of the cornea reducing the corneal scarring rate.

Limbal stem cell transplant

It is a surgical modality to replenish or repopulate the ocular surface epithelium in an eye with limbal

stem cell deficiency. It is used in conditions of severe ocular burns from chemical injury or any stem cell

deficiency conditions.

Refractive Procedures

Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK)

It is a widely used laser eye surgery that corrects refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia, and

astigmatism. The procedure involves creating a thin flap in the cornea, which is then lifted to allow

for precise laser reshaping of the underlying corneal tissue. It is known for its high success rates

and minimal discomfort, making it a popular choice for those seeking to reduce or eliminate their

dependence on glasses or contact lenses.

TransPRK

It is an advanced and specialised laser procedure designed to correct refractive errors, such as

myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism and is an alternative to traditional LASIK.TransPRK is

particularly suitable for patients with thinner corneas or those who prefer a non-invasive option.

This procedure is entirely automated with no chemical or cuts involved.  

ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) surgery

This procedure is usually used to correct high degrees of refractive error or when

corneal refractive surgery is not possible due to pre-existing conditions. The procedure uses a

foldable artificial lens which is placed in front of the natural crystalline lens to correct high

refractive errors.

ICRS (Intracorneal Ring Segment) surgery

ICRS is a minimally invasive procedure designed to correct keratoconus and other irregular

corneal shapes by inserting small, crescent-shaped rings into the cornea. These rings help to

flatten the cornea, improving visual acuity and reducing the need for glasses or contact lenses. In

Instruments and Machines

• SCHWIND Amaris TransPRK machine

• Tomey Specular microscope

addition, the presence of a corneal inlay may provide biomechanical support for this ocular tissue.

• Appasamy Corneal Cross-Linking System (UV)

• Carl Zeiss lumera operating microscope

• OCT- Cirrus 6000

• Moria microkeratome machine

• IOL Master 700

• Schwind Sirius+ topography

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