TREATMENTS &
RESEARCH

Search the
latest
treatment
information
here.

Dr. Huntley's
Diagnosis
Checklist

Have a symptom?
See what questions
a doctor would ask.
 
Diseases » Corneal Dystrophies » Treatments
 

Treatments for Corneal Dystrophies

Corneal Dystrophies: Marketplace Products, Discounts & Offers

Products, offers and promotion categories available for Corneal Dystrophies:

Corneal Dystrophies: Research Doctors & Specialists

Research all specialists including ratings, affiliations, and sanctions.

Hospital statistics for Corneal Dystrophies:

These medical statistics relate to hospitals, hospitalization and Corneal Dystrophies:

  • 0.003% (398) of hospital consultant episodes were for corneal scars and opacities in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
  • 100% of hospital consultant episodes for corneal scars and opacities required hospital admission in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
  • 46% of hospital consultant episodes for corneal scars and opacities were for in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
  • 54% of hospital consultant episodes for corneal scars and opacities were for women in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
  • more hospital information...»

Discussion of treatments for Corneal Dystrophies:

Phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) is one of the latest advances in eye care for the treatment of corneal dystrophies, corneal scars, and certain corneal infections. Only a short time ago, people with these disorders would most likely have needed a corneal transplant. By combining the precision of the excimer laser with the control of a computer, doctors can vaporize microscopically thin layers of diseased corneal tissue and etch away the surface irregularities associated with many corneal dystrophies and scars. Surrounding areas suffer relatively little trauma. New tissue can then grow over the now-smooth surface. Recovery from the procedure takes a matter of days, rather than months as with a transplant. The return of vision can occur rapidly, especially if the cause of the problem is confined to the top layer of the cornea. Studies have shown close to an 85 percent success rate in corneal repair using PTK for well-selected patients. (Source: excerpt from Facts About the Cornea and Corneal Disease: NEI)

Buy Products Related to Treatments for Corneal Dystrophies

 
Shopping.com


Book Excerpts: Treatment of Corneal Dystrophies

Treatments of Corneal Dystrophies: Online Medical Books

16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE! Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration, for more information about the treatments of Corneal Dystrophies.

Corneal abrasion: Treatment
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))

Topical anesthetic eyedrops are instilled in the affected eye before removal of a superficial foreign body, using a foreign body spud. A rust ring on the cornea must be removed with an ophthalmic burr. When only partial removal is possible, reepithelialization lifts the ring again to the surface and allows complete removal the following day.

Treatment also includes instillation of broad-spectrum antibiotic eyedrops in the affected eye every 3 to 4 hours. Application of a pressure patch prevents further corneal irritation when the patient blinks. If the patient wears contact lenses, it may be advisable for him to abstain from wearing the lenses until the corneal abrasion heals.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005

Corneal ulcers: Treatment
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))

Prompt treatment is essential for all forms of corneal ulcer to prevent complications and permanent visual impairment. Treatment usually consists of systemic and topical broad-spectrum antibiotics until culture results identify the causative organism. The goals of treatment are to eliminate the underlying cause of the ulcer and to relieve pain:

❑ Fungi — topical instillation of natamycin for Fusarium, Cephalosporium, and Candida.

❑ Herpes simplex type 1 virus — topical application of trifluridine drops or vidarabine ointment. Corneal ulcers resulting from a viral infection often recur, requiring further treatment with trifluridine.

❑ Hypovitaminosis A — correction of dietary deficiency or GI malabsorption of vitamin A.

❑ Infection by P. aeruginosa — polymyxin B and gentamicin, administered topically and by subconjunctival injection, or carbenicillin and tobramycin I.V. Because this type of corneal ulcer spreads so rapidly, it can cause corneal perforation and loss of the eye within 48 hours. Immediate treatment and isolation of hospitalized patients are required.

Alert  Treatment for a corneal ulcer due to bacterial infection should never include an eye patch because patching creates the dark, warm, moist environment ideal for bacterial growth.

❑ Neurotropic ulcers or exposure keratitis — frequent instillation of artificial tears or lubricating ointments and use of a plastic bubble eye shield.

❑ Varicella-zoster virus — topical sulfonamide ointment applied three to four times daily to prevent secondary infection. These lesions are unilateral, following the pathway of the fifth cranial nerve, and are typically quite painful. Give analgesics as ordered. Associated anterior uveitis requires cycloplegic eyedrops. Watch for signs of secondary glaucoma (transient vision loss and halos around lights).

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005

Corneal abrasion: Treatment
(Handbook of Diseases)

The first steps in treatment include examining the eye and checking visual acuity. If the foreign object is visible, the eye can be irrigated with normal saline solution.

Removal of a deeply embedded foreign body is done with a foreign-body spud, using a topical anesthetic. A rust ring on the cornea must be removed at the slit-lamp examination with an ophthalmic burr, after applying a topical anesthetic. When only partial removal is possible, reepithelialization lifts the ring again to the surface and allows complete removal the next day.

Treatment also includes instillation of a cycloplegic eyedrop and broad-spectrum antibiotic eyedrops in the affected eye every 3 to 4 hours.

Clinical tip  A pressure patch may be applied in some cases, but it’s never used if the abrasion was caused by contact lens use.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003

Corneal ulcers: Treatment
(Handbook of Diseases)

Prompt treatment is essential for all forms of corneal ulcer to prevent complications and permanent visual impairment. Treatment aims to eliminate the underlying cause of the ulcer and to relieve pain.

Until culture results identify the causative organism, treatment consists of topical broad-spectrum antibiotics. Once the causative agent is identified, specific treatments vary.

❑ P. aeruginosa infection is treated with ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, or tobramycin, administered topically. This type of corneal ulcer can cause corneal perforation and loss of the eye very rapidly if left untreated. Immediate treatment and isolation of hospitalized patients are required.

A corneal ulcer should never be patched because patching creates the dark, warm, moist environment ideal for bacterial growth. However, it should be protected with a perforated shield.

Herpes simplex type 1 virus is treated with hourly topical applications of idoxuridine or vidarabine. Corneal ulcers resulting from this viral infection commonly recur. Trifluridine is the treatment of choice.

Fungi are treated with topical instillation of natamycin for Fusarium, Cephalosporium, and Candida.

Hypovitaminosis A requires correction of dietary deficiency or GI malabsorption of vitamin A.

Neurotropic ulcers or exposure keratitis is treated with frequent instillation of artificial tears or lubricating ointments and use of a plastic bubble eye shield or by a tarsorrhaphy (suturing the eyelids together).

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003



 » Next page: Doctors and Medical Specialists for Corneal Dystrophies

Rate This Website

What do you think about the features of this website? Take our user survey and have your say:

Website User Survey

Medical Tools & Articles:

Next articles:

Tools & Services:

Medical Articles:

Forums & Message Boards

 
HONcode We subscribe to the HONcode principles

By using this site you agree to our Terms of Use. Information provided on this site is for informational purposes only; it is not intended as a substitute for advice from your own medical team. The information on this site is not to be used for diagnosing or treating any health concerns you may have - please contact your physician or health care professional for all your medical needs. Please see our Terms of Use.

Home | Symptoms | Diseases | Diagnosis | Videos | Tools | Forum | About Us | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Site Map | Advertise