Can pellucid marginal degeneration cause blindness?
Pellucid marginal degeneration (PMD) is a degenerative corneal condition, often confused with keratoconus. It typically presents with painless vision loss affecting both eyes. Rarely, it may cause acute vision loss with severe pain due to perforation of the cornea.
What is lamellar surgery?
Lamellar keratoplasty is an operation in which diseased corneal tissue is removed and replaced by lamellar corneal tissue from a donor. The procedure is performed either to improve vision (optical keratoplasty) or to provide structural support for the cornea (tectonic keratoplasty).
What is Dellen in the eye?
Corneal dellen are small saucer-like excavations at the margin of the cornea. They occur most often following processes which produce a paralimbal elevation that is able to induce a localized break in the precorneal oily layer of the tears which, in turn, causes a localized dehydration and thinning of the cornea.
Is pellucid marginal degeneration the same as keratoconus?
Unlike keratoconus, which usually stops progressing in the third or fourth decade of life, pellucid marginal degeneration is progressive throughout the patients’ lifetime and is non-inflammatory. Corneas are usually clear and without lipid deposition.
Is pellucid marginal degeneration a form of keratoconus?
Differences between Keratoconus and Pellucid Marginal Degeneration. Keratoconus and Pellucid Marginal Degeneration (PMD) are both considered to be cornea ectatic disorders or corneal thinning disorders. While they may have similar topographic features, they have slightly different cornea abnormalities.
Can you have cataract surgery with thin corneas?
Lens replacement surgery is well-suited for those with thin corneas and farsightedness. With this procedure, an artificial intraocular lens replaces the eye’s natural lens. The new lens allows for sharper vision. Patients may no longer require reading glasses or find less need for them.
Is superficial keratectomy painful?
It can be slightly uncomfortable but, with the topical drops and oral pain medication, it is tolerated very well. After removal of the amniotic membrane, the steroid drops are used for two weeks.
What is the difference between DSEK and DMEK?
DSAEK is the automated version of this procedure, which uses a machine to cut tissue. DMEK, on the other hand, uses extremely thin donor tissue, with a better chance of restoring good vision to the patient.
What is marginal keratitis?
Marginal keratitis is an inflammatory disease of the peripheral cornea, characterized by peripheral stromal infiltrates which are often associated with epithelium break down and ulceration.
Can pellucid marginal degeneration be treated?
In this day and age of advanced refractive surgery, a well-tested practice such as a tectonic corneal transplant is very useful in the treatment of corneal pellucid marginal degeneration.
How common is pellucid marginal degeneration?
Pellucid marginal corneal degeneration (PMD) is a rare ectatic disorder which typically affects the inferior peripheral cornea in a crescentic fashion. The condition is most commonly found in males and usually appears between the 2nd and 5th decades of life affecting all ethnicities.