Microcornea

What is Microcornea?

Microcornea is a condition in which the horizontal diameter of the cornea is less than 10 mm in a normal-sized eyeball. The cornea is a transparent dome in the anterior part of the eye that enables clear vision by refracting light.

Due to the small size of this structure, microcornea causes insufficient refraction of light and visual defects. The aim of microcornea treatment is to improve vision and reduce sensitivity to light. This rare eye disease can occur in both eyes or in one eye.

With microcornea treatment, many patients can regain near-normal vision.

What Causes Microcornea?

Microcornea is a rare condition and affects approximately 0.06% of the population. It can affect both sexes equally and usually occurs at birth or early in life. The exact cause of microcornea is unknown.

However, several factors are thought to play a role, including

• Microcornea may be inherited in some families.
• Some infections, such as rubella or toxoplasmosis, can lead to birth defects and cause various eye abnormalities, including microcornea.
• Some medications, such as thalidomide, can cause birth defects, including microcornea.
• Babies born prematurely have a higher risk of developing microcornea.

What are the Symptoms of Microcornea?

Microcornea is a rare eye disease characterised by a cornea that is smaller than normal. The most common symptoms of microcornea disease are.

• Blurred vision
• Sensitivity to light
• Excessive watering of the eyes
• Redness of the eyes
• Eye pain

How is microcornea treatment performed?

The aim of microcornea treatment is to correct the size and shape of the cornea and improve vision. Keratoplasty is a surgical procedure in which the damaged part of the cornea is replaced with a healthy donor tissue and is the most effective method of treating Microcornea.

Microcornea is a condition that can only be corrected by surgical intervention (Kerotoplasty), Kerotoplasty provides very successful results. Keratoplasty is the process of replacing the damaged or diseased layer of the cornea, which affects vision, with tissue taken from a healthy donor.

The cornea, which is located at the front of the eye and allows light to reach the retina, can lead to vision loss when it loses its transparency or becomes misshapen. Keratoplasty is a promising surgical method to restore vision in such cases.

Before keratoplasty, your ophthalmologist will perform a thorough eye examination and determine whether the surgery is suitable for you. He or she will also enquire about your general health and medication.

You may need to take some medication to protect your eyes from infection before the operation. Keratoplasty is usually performed under local anaesthesia, but in some cases general anaesthesia may be used.

The operation is performed under a microscope and takes about 1-2 hours. The surgeon first removes part of the damaged cornea with a round knife. Then, healthy corneal tissue from the donor is cut accordingly and placed in the patient’s eye. The tissue is fixed with very fine sutures.

After the operation, your eye will be bandaged for a few days. Your ophthalmologist will prescribe painkillers and anti-infection medication. It may take several weeks or months for your vision to improve. It is important to protect your eyes during this process and follow your doctor’s instructions.

Microcornea Prognosis

Diagnosis of microcornea is done by a physical examination by an ophthalmologist. The doctor will use special instruments to measure the size and shape of the cornea. He or she will also check visual acuity and eye pressure.

The prognosis of microcornea treatment varies depending on the size and shape of the cornea. In mild cases, treatment can significantly improve vision. In more severe cases, treatment may not completely restore vision, but may reduce sensitivity to light.

The success rate for full-thickness and lamellar keratoplasties is between 70% and 90%.

How Much Is Microcornea Treatment Price?

Microcornea treatment price varies depending on the underlying cause and the operation to be performed. The treatment plan to be created by our specialist ophthalmologist depending on the detailed examination results may vary from person to person.

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The above information is for informational purposes. If you have any medical concerns or questions, please make an appointment with our ophthalmologists.