The Cornea Flashcards
Layers of the cornea
- Praecorneal tear film
- Epithelium
- Stroma
- Descemet’s membrane
- Endothelium
Completely transparent & avascular
Cornea: Oedema
- Accumulation of fluid in the stroma
- Impaired function of the epi- and/or endothelium
- Water molecules enforce fibres and cells
- Grey-blue opacity; Focal or diffuse
Cornea: Vascularisation
- During both pathologic & healing processes
- Superficial/deep/mixed
- Type of vascularisation depends on the depth of the corneal process
Cornea: Pigmentation
- Pigment deposition in the epithelium & stroma
- Migration of melanocytes & pigment-filled macrophages from the limbus
- Causes: Chronic corneal irritation; Desscication; Exposition
Cornea: Ulceration
- Superficial or deep excavation in the corneal tissue
- At the site of the ulcer, corneal tissue is lost
- Deep ulcers may lead to corneal perforation
Cornea: Infiltration
Features of infiltration are dependent on the cause:
- Leukocytes & granulocytes → Infection
- Eosinophils → Allergy; Antigen-caused
Cornea: Scar formation
- Reparation of gaps in the stroma
- After scarring, irregular arrangement of collagen fibres → Opacity
- Kerectasia
Cornea: Types of scars by size
- Nebula
- Macula
- Leucoma
Cornea: Kerectasia
Severe granulation due to chronic irritation
Corneal congenital opacity: Aetiology
Inherited; Intrauterine infection
Corneal congenital opacity: CSx
- Grayish opacities
- Shape, size and placement varies
Corneal congenital opacity: Treatment
- Limited
- Vision is not severely impaired
- No progression of the disease
Keratitis
Inflammation of the cornea
Keratitis can be classified by…
- Aetiology
- Depth
- Appearance
Keratitis: Classifications by aetiology (10)
- Infectious
- Traumatic
- Allergic
- Associated with systemic disease
- Mechanical
- Chemical
- Irritation
- Desscication
- Innervation abnormalities
- Chronic corneal oedema
Keratitis: Classification by Depth
- Superficial
- Interstitial
- Deep
Keratitis: Classification by appearance
- Ulcerative
- Non-ulcerative
Ulcerative keratitis
Ulcer formation in the cornea
- Superficial/deep excavation
- Gap in the corneal epithelium & stroma
Superficial corneal ulcers can be sub-divided into…
- Uncomplicated & simple
- Indolent (causing little pain)
Deep corneal ulcers can be subdivided into…
- Uncomplicated; Non-melting
- Melting
- Desmetocele
Uncomplicated, superficial corneal ulcer: CSx
- Mild lacrimation
- Blepharospasm
- Perifocal oedema
- If the upper stroma is exposed: Fluorescein positive
Uncomplicated, superficial corneal ulcer: Treatment
- Eliminate the cause
- Antibiotic eyedrops
- Topical vitamins
Heals withing 10-14 days