Elimination of corneal scars

What is the cornea of the eye and what is its function?

The cornea of the eye is the transparent, front part of the eyeball, which plays a key role in the vision process. It is one of the main optical structures of the eye, responsible for refracting light and focusing it on the retina. Thanks to its optical property, the cornea enables us to see sharply and clearly.

However, its functions are not limited to optics. The cornea also plays an important protective role, protecting the sensitive structures of the eye from external factors such as dust, dirt, bacteria and mechanical trauma. It acts as the first barrier to prevent these agents from entering the eye.

In addition, the cornea maintains the proper shape of the eye, which is important for its proper function. Its elasticity and resilience help maintain constant pressure inside the eyeball. Thus, optimal conditions are maintained for the proper functioning of the eye structures.

The cornea is not only an important optical element, but also plays an important role in maintaining transparency. Its ability to transmit light without significant scattering or absorption is essential for the bright and clear images seen by our eyes.

How do corneal scars form?

Corneal scarring can occur due to mechanical trauma (e.g., removal of foreign bodies), inflammation, degeneration or dystrophy.

• Mechanical damage, such as a bump, cut, scratch or penetration of a foreign body into the eye, can damage the epithelial layer of the cornea, leading to a healing process that can cause scarring.
• Eye infections, such as viral keratitis, pseudoglaucoma or ocular herpes, can also damage corneal tissues and cause inflammation, resulting in scarring. The most common cause of viral keratitis is improper use of contact lenses.

• Corneal degeneration is a process in which there is a gradual weakening and loss of normal corneal structure and function. It can have various causes, such as hereditary corneal diseases such as retinal dystrophy or age-related processes such as macular degeneration. As a result of these processes, the cornea may undergo gradual thickening, keratinization, the formation of surface irregularities or changes in the structure of the corneal layers. These structural changes can lead to corneal scarring.
• Corneal dystrophy is a group of genetic diseases that lead to gradual changes in the structure and function of the cornea. An example is Bowman’s dystrophy, in which abnormal proteins accumulate in the anterior layer of the cornea, which can lead to scarring. Scarring as a consequence of corneal degeneration or dystrophy can affect the quality of vision, leading to visual disturbances such as haze, distorted images or loss of visual acuity. In some cases, when scarring causes significant deterioration of vision or impedes daily function, medical intervention such as a corneal transplant may be necessary to improve visual function.