Category: Surgical Corner

Surgical Corner Penetrating Keratoplasty Corneal transplants are broadly classified as full thickness or lamellar/ layered. Although there are inherent advantages to performing a lamellar corneal transplant, certain conditions do not allow for the same (eg. full thickness corneal scars). In these cases, all 6 layers of the recipient cornea are removed and a similar full thickness donor tissue is sutured into place. If performed well, these transplants perform just as well as lamellar transplants and offer excellent visual recovery. Darshan eye care has been a pioneer in performing complex corneal transplants in both paediatrics and adults. The surgery can also be combined with cataract, ocular surface and vitro-retinal surgery if indicated.

Surgical Corner Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty(DMEK) Corneal endothelial damage can occur as a result of failed cataract/glaucoma/ retinal surgery or in patients with inherited disorders of the endothelium such as Fuch’s endothelial corneal dystrophy. Such patients need not have to undergo a full thickness corneal transplant and instead can get only the diseased endothelial layer replaced via DMEK. The procedure while technically complex offers quick and safe visual recovery. The procedure is performed in a sutureless manner and the transplanted cornea (which is only 14 microns thick) is injected and stuck in place using a large air bubble placed within the eye. . Our surgeons at Darshan Eye Care expertly perform this procedure on a routine basis. Get in touch to know more about the same!!

Surgical Corner Keratoprosthesis -the Artificial Cornea Comeal transplants have been performed since the turn of the 20th century. However, there are certain cases where a corneal transplant may not be successful. Multiple failed grafts, limbal stem cell deficiency, severe ocular surface disease are just a few of the conditions (where a transplanted corneal graft may not survive. In these cases, the use of a keratoprosthesis (artificial cornea) may be warranted. A Keratoprosthesis uses a human donor cornea placed in a PMMA / titanium base plate to allow it to bio-integrate onto the host surface. [We at Darshan Eye Care have been pioneers of this procedures,having ‘performed this surgery multiple times, successfully.

Surgical Corner Ocular Surface Reconstruction Surgery The ocular surface is a complex structure that performs multiple functions in the eye. Damage can result from toxic insults like chemical injuries, thermal bums or conditions like Allergies, Steven Johnson Syndrome or Ocular Cicatricial pemphigoid resulting in damage to both the cornea, conductive land the limbal stem cells. Deficiency of limbal stem cells prevents surface epithelialisation and delays healing resulting in scarring and loss of visual function. Limbal stem cells can be transplanted from either the fellow eye or cadaveric donors in order to help overcome this deficiency. Seen above, is one of our patients who underwent a combined limbal stem cell transplant and corneal transplant surgery. The image on the left is before surgery and the image on the right is 3 months following the procedure.

Surgical Corner Phacoemulsification – Micro Incision Cataract Surgery (MICS) Phacoemulsification for removal of cataract is one of the most widely performed intraocular procedures today. An incision made in the eye,allows for the cataract to be broken down using ultrasonic energy,thereby freeing up space for placement of an intraocular lens.Technological advancements have made it possible for us to reduce incision sizes (sub 2.0mm) and thereby also reduce recovery time following cataract surgery (less than 1 week). Here at Darshan Eye Care,we offer MICS as standard of care for all our patients, at no extra cost.The use of MICS allows our patients to see better, heal faster and return Ito their active lifestyles, far quicker than when compared to conventional cataract surgery.

Surgical Corner Phakic Intraocular Lenses(ICL) At Darshan Eye Care, we hope to cater to all of our patient’s refractive needs. Hence, in eyes that are unsuitable or ineligible to undergo Laser assisted refractive surgeries such as LASIK/FemtoLASIK/SMILE, we offer Implantable Collamer Lenses (ICL), which are a form of phakic intraocular lens. These lenses are placed surgically, just above the patient’s natural crystalline lens, in a space known as the ciliary sulcus. This allows correction of refractive error between -3.00D upto -20.00D. correction of hyperopic refractive errors and astigmatism is also possible with these lenses. ICL surgeries offer a safe alternative to those who cannot undergo laser refractive procedures and the best part is that they are removable and therefore do not interfere with any future intraocular procedures like cataract surgery.

Surgical Corner Corneal Collagen Cross Linking (CXL/C3R) Keratoconus is a disease of the cornea, which results from deficient collagen in the corneal superstructure. This results in destabilisation of the corneal shape,resulting in high refractive errors and astigmatism. Unchecked bending of the cornea may result in corneal scarring, resulting in permanent vision loss. Corneal collagen cross linking is done to prevent this. The procedure aims to stabilise the cornea by strengthening the bonds between the existing collagen fibres by means of riboflavin eye drops and UV light exposure. Once stabilised, the patient can be rehabilitated by means of contact lenses or intracorneal ring segments (INTACS). Corneal stabilisation helps the patient avoid a corneal transplant and also helps improve contact lens fitting, for better visual rehabilitation. Darshan Eye Care is equipped with both the conventional, as well as the Rapid/accelerated CXL machines, thereby allowing for customised keratoconus care.

Surgical Corner Nothing But The Best For Our Cataract Patients At Darshan Eye Care we are equipped with CENTURION® Vision System; the Only Intelligent Phacoemulsification Technology Designed to Optimize Cataract Surgery The CENTURION Vision System is the only intelligent phaco platform that dynamically optimizes every moment of the cataract removal procedure. With a growing collection of innovations designed to provide improved patient outcomes, theCENTURION Vision System sets a new standard in phacoemulsification technology. The CENTURION Vision System is designed to provide: • A new standard in anterior chamber stability.• Excellent emulsification efficiency.• An upgradeable, future-oriented OR.• Enhanced ergonomics for surgeon comfort.• Surgical technology for a best-in-class cataract suite.