Cornea Repair
- The cornea has self-repair power and can handle minor injuries without intervention. Healthy cells cover up for injuries immediately and prevent infection. Deeper injuries might require professional help, such as a corneal transplant, says the NEI.
- When light cannot reach the retina because the cornea is damaged or diseased, the scarred cornea is replaced with a healthy one. The central portion of the cloudy cornea is replaced with the clear cornea from a donor, which is usually obtained through an eye bank, the NEI says.
- PTK uses a computer-controlled excimer laser. Microscopically thin layers of diseased or damaged corneal tissues are vaporized, and surface irregularities are etched away. New tissues grow over the smooth area. PTK has been used effectively to treat corneal dystrophies, corneal scars and certain corneal infections, the NEI says.
An ABC News reports said that scientists can now replace a person's damaged cornea with his own cornea grown in a laboratory through stem cells.
