Cornea is the transparent layer of the eye that lets light reach the retina and lens, thus enabling vision. It also acts as a barrier against infections – cornea contains a number of protective mechanisms such as tear film, epithelial layer, and immune cells, which help to prevent infections from penetrating into the eye.
The cornea can be damaged due to multiple reasons such as:
- Trauma
- Chemical injury
- Infection
- Dry
- Prolonged or improper use of contact lenses
- Genetic disorders
- Age – related factors
Cornea surgery or cornea transplant can be required, when the cornea is severely damaged and conservative treatments can not be used to treat it. Cornea surgeries are usually recommended for these conditions:
- Corneal scarring or clouding
- Keratoconus
- Refractive errors
- Pterygium
- Fuchs’ dystrophy
Check this useful read on common corneal problems .
Here we discuss some important factors to avoid doing after cornea surgery:
1. Rubbing or touching eyes: After cornea surgery, patients should avoid rubbing and touching their eyes because it can cause irritation and increase the risk of infection. Also, it will delay the healing process and cause further complications. If the eyes feel itchy or uncomfortable, they should use eye drops as prescribed by their surgeon.
2. Wearing eye makeup: Eye makeup can cause irritation and even increase the risk of infection. It can also slow down the healing process and cause complications.
3. Do not wear contact lenses: After cornea surgery, patients should avoid wearing contact lenses for some days – as lenses can exert pressure on the eye and slow down the healing process. Also, patients should wear glasses to protect their eyes from dust and dirt during the recovery period.
4. Swimming: Patients should avoid swimming after cornea surgery – as exposing their eyes to moisture can increase the risk of infection.
5. Strenuous activities: After cornea surgery patients should avoid playing sports, gyming or lifting weights for a certain period of time. Strenuous activities can exert pressure on the eyes, increasing the risk of bleeding.
6. Exposing eyes to dust or smoke: After cornea surgery, patients should protect their eyes from dust and smoke as it can lead to irritation, infection and delay healing.
7. Using non-prescribed medication: After cornea surgery, patients should not use non-prescribed eye drops and medicines as they can cause irritation, side effects and delayed healing. It is important to follow the doctor’s instructions and only use the eye drops or medication prescribed by them.
8. Driving: Until the follow up appointments are done, doctors will recommend patients to avoid driving for a certain period of time. Once the doctors give the green signal, patients can start driving again, but only short distances. Additionally, they should avoid driving at night or in the dark as it causes stress on the eyes.
9. Ignoring symptoms: It is important to contact a doctor immediately if the patient experiences any symptoms such as redness, pain, discharge, or decreased vision. Ignoring these symptoms can lead to complications.
Success of cornea surgery: Factors to note
There are multiple factors that determine the success of a cornea surgery such as:
- The extent of damage
- The treatment and surgical technique used
- The expertise of the surgeon
- Patient’s immunity to donor transplant, to name a few.
Before surgery, patients need to discuss the success rate of their eye surgery with their eye surgeon. The long- term success rates of a cornea transplant can vary widely. Also, it is important to note that the patient’s vision is usually blurred post surgery and will gradually improve over time.
Looking for for more information on cornea surgery and cornea surgery types
To know more information, you can visit our resource section on cornea. We have highly-skilled eye surgeons who use the latest technology to ensure a successful and efficient procedure. If your family member is suffering from a corneal disease or has a damaged cornea, schedule a consultation today. To find the nearest branch to book an appointment, visit our contact us page.