Cornea Services

Expert corneal transplants (DALK, DSEK, DMEK), keratoconus management, and specialty contact lenses.

32+

Years of Experience

75,000+

Successful Procedures

10-15

Minute Procedure

Cornea & External Eye Care

comprehensive care for corneal and external eye health

What is Cornea Services?

The cornea is one of the most vital structures of the human eye — the transparent, dome-shaped “front window” that lets light enter and allows you to see clearly. When the cornea becomes cloudy, infected, injured, or structurally weak, vision is affected immediately. At Nirmal’s Eye Hospital, Tambaram, our Cornea & External Eye Care Department offers complete, specialized care for all corneal disorders, from simple infections to complex transplant procedures.

About Cornea Services

The cornea is the eye’s clear, dome-shaped front surface responsible for most of its focusing power. It bends incoming light precisely onto the retina, enabling sharp, detailed vision. Because it is directly exposed, it is easily affected by infections, injuries, allergies, and degenerative conditions. When damaged, it can cause pain, sensitivity, and vision loss. Maintaining corneal health ensures clear sight and prevents serious long-term complications.

Modern Keratoplasty Replace Only What’s Diseased

We offer multiple surgical options tailored to your specific needs and lifestyle

DALK (Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty)

Selective Front-Layer Corneal Transplant

This advanced procedure replaces only the diseased front layers of the cornea while fully preserving the healthy endothelium. By keeping the innermost layer intact, DALK offers stronger healing, long-term stability:

Stronger Structural healing
Extremely low risk of rejection
Clear version with smooth Corneal surface
High safety profile with predictable results
Back to normal activities within days

DSEK (Descemet’s Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty)

Micro-Incision Endothelial Replacement

DSEK selectively replaces only the damaged endothelial layer through a very small incision. This minimally invasive approach allows rapid healing, improved stability:

Small incision with less tissue disruption
Quick visual and functional recovery
Strong corneal stability post-surgery
Less inflammation, more comfort
Effective results for endothelium

DMEK (Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty)

Ultra-Thin, Bladeless Precision Transplant

DMEK is the most advanced form of endothelial keratoplasty, using an ultra-thin graft that mimics natural anatomy. This technique offers the sharpest visual results, the lowest rejection rates:

Sharpest and most natural visual outcomes
Lowest graft rejection rates
Fastest healing among all keratoplasty types
Ultra-thin graft for crystal-clear clarity
Precise results, minimal handling

Our Cornea Services

Dedicated care for corneal and external eye conditions

Specialized Corneal & Ocular Surface Care

The cornea plays a vital role in clear vision and overall eye health. Our Cornea Services focus on the accurate diagnosis and effective treatment of corneal and external eye conditions, including infections, degenerations, injuries, dry eye disorders, and irregular corneas. Using advanced diagnostic technology and evidence-based treatments, our specialists provide personalized medical, surgical, and supportive care to protect the cornea, relieve symptoms, and preserve long-term vision.

Management of Corneal Infections

Targeted Medical & Surgical Care

We offer early diagnosis and targeted treatment for corneal infections to protect the cornea, relieve symptoms, and preserve clear vision.

Keratoconus Diagnosis

Advanced Screening + Customized Solutions

We identify keratoconus early through advanced imaging and provide personalized treatments like CXL, specialty lenses, and surgical options to stabilize and improve vision.

Specialty Contact Lenses

Tailored Lenses for Irregular Corneas

We offer specialized lenses designed for irregular corneas, providing superior clarity, comfort, and stability for conditions like keratoconus, high astigmatism, and post-surgical distortion.

Sutureless Pterygium Surgery

Reduced Irritation + Quick Recovery

We perform minimally invasive pterygium removal using a sutureless graft technique that promotes faster healing, lowers recurrence, and improves both comfort and cosmetic appearance.

Ocular Surface Disease Manage

Comprehensive Dry Eye Solutions

We diagnose and treat ocular surface diseases using advanced tests and personalized therapies that restore tear balance, relieve irritation, and improve everyday visual comfort effectively.

Your Journey to Comfortable, Clearer Vision

What to expect from consultation to recovery

Step 1: Comprehensive Assessment

We start with a detailed check of your cornea and eye surface using imaging and tear film testing, and review your current symptoms, lifestyle, and medical history to guide care.

Step 2: Concise Diagnosis & Education

We clearly explain what’s affecting your eye comfort or vision, helping you understand your condition, treatment options, and expected results, so you feel informed, confident, and involved in your care decisions.

Step 3: Tailored Treatment Plan

Your personalized care plan focuses on your unique needs, which may include dry eye treatments, corneal disease management, optimized contact lenses, or targeted medications to reduce inflammation, improve comfort, and protect vision.

Step 4: Advanced Procedures

When needed, we provide advanced corneal treatments, including cross-linking, pterygium removal, keratoconus management, and ocular surface reconstruction, to restore clarity, protect eye health, and support long-term visual stability.

Post-Care Instructions for Cornea Health

Your recovery is just as important as the surgery itself

DO These Things

Use prescribed eye drops exactly as instructed
Wear protective glasses when going outdoors
Wash hands thoroughly before touching your eyes
Blink regularly and practice eyelid hygiene
Stay well-hydrated and maintain a healthy diet
Attend all follow-up appointments
Rest your eyes periodically to avoid strain

DON’T These Things

Don’t rub or press on your eye
Don’t use expired or unprescribed eye medications
Don’t share towels, pillows, or eye cosmetics
Don’t skip protective eyewear during work or sports
Don’t ignore persistent redness, pain, or blurred vision
Don’t expose your eyes to smoke, dust, or chemical fumes
Don’t expose eyes to dirt, smoke, or wind

Recovery Timeline

Day 1: Clarity begins, mild irritation is normal

Day 3-7: Vision stabilizes significantly

Week 2: Most activity restrictions are lifted

1 Month: Final visual outcome achieved, full recovery complete

Advanced Diagnostic Equipment

We use cutting-edge technology for precise diagnosis and optimal surgical outcomes

Slit Lamp Biomicroscopy

Anterior Segment Examination

Detailed examination of the cornea, conjunctiva, eyelids, and tear film using high-magnification light to detect infections, injuries, dry eye, and other external eye abnormalities accurately.

Corneal Mapping

Corneal Topography & Tomography

Creates precise 3D maps of corneal curvature and thickness to diagnose keratoconus, irregular astigmatism, and pre-surgical assessments for corneal and refractive procedures with high accuracy.

Specular Microscopy

Corneal Endothelium Analysis

Non-invasive imaging that analyzes corneal endothelial cells, helping evaluate corneal health before surgeries like cataract or transplant and monitor damage from disease or trauma.

Ocular Surface Analysis

Tear Film & Surface Evaluation

Advanced diagnostic screening that measures tear stability, gland function, and surface health to identify dry-eye disease severity and create tailored treatment plans for long-term relief.

Pachymetry

Corneal Pachymetric Assessment

Measures corneal thickness using ultrasonic or optical methods, essential for glaucoma risk evaluation, corneal disease monitoring, and determining eligibility for refractive or crosslinking treatments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Severe eye pain, sudden vision loss, redness, photophobia, foreign body sensation, persistent tearing, or a visible corneal ulcer or opacity require urgent corneal evaluation. Prompt attention prevents complications like infection, scarring, or permanent vision loss.

Initial visual improvement occurs within weeks, but complete healing and visual stabilization may take 6–12 months. Suture removal and regular follow-ups are required, and patients must use medications to prevent rejection and infection throughout the recovery period.

Keratoconus cannot be completely cured, but progression can be slowed with treatments like corneal cross-linking. Vision can be improved with glasses, contact lenses, or in advanced cases, corneal transplant, restoring function though not permanently “curing” the disease.

Ready to See Clearly Again?

Get expert corneal care with a detailed diagnostic evaluation.

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