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Prof. Dr. Mushtaq Ahmad Khattak
CEO FIO Hospitals & Consultant Ophthalmologist
What Does the Cornea Do?
The cornea is the clear dome at the front of the eye. It provides roughly two-thirds of the eye's total focusing power and acts as a protective barrier against dust, microbes, and injury. It is also the most densely innervated tissue in the human body, which is why even a tiny scratch feels so painful. Any loss of corneal clarity or regularity translates directly into blurred vision.
What Causes Dry Eye Disease?
Dry eye is now among the most common reasons for an eye clinic visit. Patients describe burning, grittiness, a foreign-body sensation, redness, fluctuating vision, and paradoxically, watering — because irritated eyes reflexively over-produce poor-quality tears. Causes include meibomian gland dysfunction, prolonged screen use with reduced blink rate, air-conditioned or dusty environments, contact lens wear, hormonal changes, autoimmune disease such as Sjogren's syndrome, and certain medications.
How Is Dry Eye Treated Properly?
Artificial tears alone rarely solve the problem. Effective treatment starts with diagnosing the subtype: evaporative, aqueous-deficient, or mixed. We assess tear break-up time, tear volume, and meibomian gland structure. Management may include preservative-free lubricants, warm compresses and lid hygiene, omega-3 supplementation, anti-inflammatory drops such as cyclosporine, punctal plugs to conserve tears, and intense pulsed light therapy for gland dysfunction. Screen habits matter too: follow the 20-20-20 rule and blink consciously.
What Is Keratoconus and How Is It Stopped?
Keratoconus typically begins in the teens or twenties, causing progressive irregular astigmatism, ghosting of images, and frequent prescription changes. It is strongly associated with persistent eye rubbing and allergic eye disease. Corneal topography detects it long before vision deteriorates badly. Corneal collagen cross-linking halts progression by strengthening the corneal fibres, and specialty contact lenses or intracorneal ring segments restore functional vision. The single most important advice for any patient with keratoconus is simple: stop rubbing your eyes.
When Is a Red, Painful Eye an Emergency?
A red, painful, light-sensitive eye with blurred vision — particularly in a contact lens wearer or after injury with vegetable matter — may be a corneal ulcer. This needs same-day treatment with intensive targeted antimicrobial drops. Delay can result in scarring and permanent visual loss.
When Is a Corneal Transplant Needed?
When scarring or oedema is irreversible, keratoplasty restores clarity. Modern lamellar techniques such as DALK and DSAEK/DMEK replace only the diseased layers, giving faster recovery and lower rejection rates than full-thickness grafts.
Get an Expert Cornea and Dry Eye Assessment
If your eyes burn, water, or your prescription keeps changing, book a cornea and dry eye clinic appointment at FIO Hospital for a complete tear film and topography workup.
Book a dry eye and tear film assessment, learn about keratoconus treatment, or explore the Cornea Centre of Excellence.