The Cornea and Anterior Segment unit at SwaNetra Eye Hospital has treated patients from all over India and the neighboring countries. It specializes in the treatment of the entire range of corneal disorders and infections. This unit has set a record of sorts by performing more than 1000+ corneal transplant.
Apart from cataract surgery and corneal transplants, clinicians in this service handle a range of other ocular complications, from infections on the surface of the eye and eyelids to trauma care. Clinicians also work closely with scientists at the institute to develop new and more cost-effective treatments. Among the several research projects at the Institute is the stem cell research program, which has made possible an innovative treatment procedure for persons with ocular surface damage.
A transplant is the replacement of damaged or diseased tissues or organs with healthy tissues or organs. In a corneal transplant, the cloudy or warped cornea is replaced with a healthy cornea. If the new cornea heals without problems, there may be tremendous improvement in vision.
The healthy corneal tissue used for transplantation is supplied by an Eye Bank. Eye Banks work round the clock to collect, evaluate, and store donated corneas. The corneas are collected from human donors within hours of death. Stringent tests are done to ensure the safety of the person receiving the cornea. The Eye Bank verifies the donor's medical history and cause of death, and performs blood tests to ensure that the deceased person did not have any contagious disease, such as AIDS or hepatitis.
The cornea is clear to let light into the eye, and curved to focus the light rays.