What is Corneal Scar?

Corneal Scar is also known as pink eye.

The cornea is an integral part of the eye. It is your eye’s clear, protective outer layer. It helps the eye to focus properly and causes the involuntary reflex for the eyelids to close. Along with the sclera (the white portion of your eye), cornea serves as a barrier against dirt, germs, and other things that can cause damage.

It also plays a key role in vision. As light enters your eye, it gets refracted, by the cornea’s curved edge. This helps determine how well your eye can focus on objects near and far away. If your cornea is damaged by any kind of disease, infection, or injury, the resulting scars can affect your vision. They might block or distort light when it enters your eye.

Causes of Corneal Scar

Corneal scars may be caused by the following:

Injury to the cornea (abrasion, laceration, burns, or disease). Most cases of corneal ulcers are due to a bacterial infection that invades the cornea — often following eye injury, trauma or other damage. Another major cause of corneal ulcer is herpes simplex virus infection, which can damage the exterior and sometimes even deeper layers of the eye's surface. Genetics – One may inherit this disease from the parents. Chemical burns or other caustic (damaging) solution splashes can injure the cornea and lead to corneal ulceration. Allergies also affect your eyes and cause corneal scars. Typically eye allergies are triggered by one of the following: Indoor allergens like dust and dander

Outdoor allergens like pollens

Irritants like smoke and perfume

Symptoms of Corneal Scar

A person suffering from Corneal Scar can easily observe some symptoms of the disease after a few days.

You must contact an eye specialist for early treatment. Identifying the symptoms of the disease early can make the recovery process fast.

Here are some pink eye symptoms to look upon :

Corneal scars symptoms may include the following:

Pain Blurred vision Reddish eyes A burning or scratching sensation in your eye Feeling like something is in your eye Extreme sensitivity to light Red eyes Tearing Redness Eyelid swelling Excessive tearing

Diagnosis

Diagnostic tests for corneal scars are completed in an outpatient setting. Your eye doctor will first talk about recent eye injuries, symptoms, and medical history. Next, your ophthalmologist will conduct an eye exam. During the exam, he or she will look for abrasions and irritating debris that may be caught beneath your eyelids. He or she may use magnifying tools, such as a slit lamp or ophthalmoscope, to get a better view of your eye. Your doctor may also use a painless process called a fluorescein eye stain, in which dyed eye drops and blue light are used to visualize your cornea in a better way.

Corneal Scar Treatment in Ayurveda

In Ayurveda, the emphasis is given on overhauling the complete human body including its vital parts like a brain. Through Ayurveda, most of the eye diseases are curable with an effect that lasts for a very good period of time. Prakash Nethralaya has an extensive ayurvedic program for various eye treatments including the corneal scar treatment in ayurveda.

According to Ayurveda, Corneal scarring is caused due to vitiation of Vata dosha. The cornea is the site of Vata dosha (i.e. why it is rich in nerve supply and no blood supply). Vitiated Vata dosha alters the shape of cornea making it irregular in shape. Corneal scar treatment in ayurveda helps to arrest the degeneration process and reduce the symptoms. The major corneal scarring treatment procedures are as follows:

Nethradhara – This corneal scar treatment in ayurveda or therapy is done for tired and problematic eyes, and nervous exhaustion, Nethradhara involves the use of natural coolants laced with Ayurvedic powders. Pindi – In this treatment, a glue of herbs is connected over the two eyes, and secured with a cotton bandage. This animates the bloodstream around the eyes and opens the tear channels. It's an incredible method for corneal scar treatment in ayurveda, and for diminishing dark circles under the eyes. Anjanam - It helps to expel the contaminations from eyes, and influences it to clear and enhances vision. Gives a general cooling, invigorating and alleviating feeling to the eyes. This corneal scar treatment in ayurveda incorporates releasing of herbal medications to concentrate over the eyes in the body in a consistent stream is named as Anjanam. Shirodhara – This is one of the best corneal scar treatment in ayurveda. Shirodhara is normally done at the beginning of the day or at night. This method expects you to rests on the back. Shirodhara may initially start with abhyangam. After abhyangam, the method for Shirodhara is begun which includes pouring of around 2 liters lukewarm oil persistently as a stream on to the brow in a wavering way.

Home Remedies for Corneal Scar

Along with corneal scarring treatment, one can also try some home remedies for corneal scar treatment.

If you wear contact lenses, remove them immediately. Apply cool compresses to the affected eye. Do not touch or rub your eye with your fingers. Limit the worsening of infection by washing your hands often and drying them with a clean towel. Take over-the-counter pain medications, to remove the pain or infection immediately.

Preventions for Corneal Scar

The cornea is very important for the eye. A healthy cornea is needed for a healthy eye and we can prevent corneal scarring by following steps:

Follow strict hygiene guidelines if you wear contact lenses. Improper use of these lenses is the main reason for developing corneal scars. Don’t sleep with contact lenses in, even if they’re FDA approved for it. This habit greatly raises your risk of cornea infections. Always wash and dry your hands before handling the lenses. Never use saliva to lubricate your lenses because the bacteria from your mouth can harm your cornea. You can’t prevent diseases that you get from your parents (like dystrophies). But you can cling onto your vision if you find them early and take the measures.

Lifestyle Changes for Corneal Scar

Eyes are one of the most important organs in the body. Taking care of an eye is as important as our body. Various lifestyle changes to get rid of the corneal scar as follows: