Keratoconus is a widely prevalent condition that affects the eye, and patients are always searching for the best cornea doctor in Egypt or elsewhere to treat this condition and prevent its complications. If you are one of these patients or if one of your relatives is affected by keratoconus and you are searching for the best specialists in this field, you are in the right place. In this article, we will introduce you to the best cornea doctor in Egypt and the Middle East in general. We will also discuss the essential information related to keratoconus, including its causes, symptoms, treatment methods, and answer commonly asked questions about this topic. We wish you an enjoyable read from Dr. Ammar Nassar’s Center.
Get to Know the Best Cornea Doctor in Egypt
How can we determine that an eye doctor is the best among others? What are the qualities that make them stand out? How can we judge a doctor, especially with numerous options and dozens of doctors in one area? All these thoughts can confuse the patient, who fears any harm to their eyes or any small mistake that could lead to vision loss. In fact, every patient has the right to feel this way. However, when we talk about the best eye doctor, we not only focus on surgical procedures or applying the appropriate treatment method but also emphasize the following:
- – Accurate diagnosis.
- – Excellent communication and interaction.
- – Respect for the patient and listening to their concerns.
- – Performing surgical procedures with high skill and expertise.
- – Post-operative follow-up and care.
- – Ensuring the patient’s well-being and achieving the desired results.
All these qualities come together at Dr. Ammar Nassar’s center, which has been ranked among the best eye doctors in the Arab Republic of Egypt. Let’s explore some information about keratoconus before discussing Dr. Ammar Nassar’s academic qualifications and prestigious positions.
What is Keratoconus?
Before discussing keratoconus, let’s understand what the cornea is. The cornea is an extremely thin, highly transparent layer located at the front of the eye, allowing us to see the iris and pupil. The cornea focuses the light rays onto the retina, which is located at the back of the eye. The image is then converted into neural signals and transmitted to the visual center of the brain, where the process of vision occurs. The entire process takes only fractions of a second.
In the case of keratoconus, the spherical appearance of the eye changes, and the cornea’s shape becomes irregular. The cornea’s center thins and bulges outward, causing it to appear conical in shape, hence the name “keratoconus.”
Keratoconus Symptoms
The symptoms of keratoconus vary depending on the severity of the condition and its progression. They include:
- – Blurred and distorted vision.
- – Lack of clarity in vision.
- – Difficulty seeing objects, both near and far.
- – Difficulty with night driving.
- – Photophobia (sensitivity to light) and discomfort from glare.
- – Constant need to change prescription glasses due to changing measurements.
- – Chronic headaches resulting from frequent eye strain.
Complications of Untreated Keratoconus
If the patient neglects their condition and does not seek timely medical intervention, several undesirable complications may occur, including:
- – Rapid corneal swelling, leading to a significant and sudden decrease in vision quality.
- – Collapse of the inner corneal lining.
- – Formation of opacities and permanent cloudy patches that affect vision.
- – Corneal scarring, which is one of the most severe complications that may require urgent corneal transplantation.
Cases Requiring Corneal Transplantation
There are certain medical conditions and exceptional circumstances that necessitate immediate corneal transplantation. Some of these cases include:
- – Presence of corneal scars or ulcers resulting from severe injuries or eye infections.
- – Corneal swelling, as observed in untreated keratoconus cases.
- – Failed previous eye surgeries.
- – Inherited eye diseases, such as Fuchs’ dystrophy.
How to Treat Keratoconus
Dr. Ammar Nasar strives to halt the progression of keratoconus and prevent complications while achieving the best treatment solution to improve visual quality. This is done through the following methods:
Prescription Glasses / Contact Lenses
They are used in cases of mild to moderate keratoconus to significantly improve vision quality.
Implantation of Rings or Inserts
This is the preferred solution for moderate cases, as it corrects the corneal topographic shape and reduces surface irregularities.
Corneal Cross-Linking
One of the best therapeutic interventions when keratoconus is detected early. It involves using ultraviolet light with riboflavin on the cornea to strengthen and increase collagen links, directly stabilizing the cornea and slowing down the progression of the disease.
Surface Laser Corneal Correction
This procedure cannot be generalized to all cases of keratoconus because it is specifically designed for certain situations where the corneal thickness allows the use of low-dose excimer laser. It corrects corneal curvature, treats deformities resulting from corneal damage, and stabilizes the procedure with ultraviolet light. This procedure requires a highly skilled and experienced specialist.
Corneal Transplantation
This is a preferred treatment option for many ophthalmologists, especially when the condition of keratoconus deteriorates, and other treatment methods are ineffective in restoring vision. Partial or full corneal transplantation is considered the most suitable solution.