Cornea & Keratoconus Treatment in Kolkata

Cornea care in Kolkata: ulcers, keratoconus and transplants

The cornea is the clear window at the front of the eye. When it is infected, thinned or scarred, vision suffers quickly. Some corneal problems are emergencies; others, like keratoconus, creep up over years in young people who just think their glasses keep changing.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Ananyabrata Das, MBBS, DO
Updated 22 October 2026

Corneal ulcer

An infection of the cornea, often after an injury with a leaf, stick, grain husk or fingernail, or from sleeping or swimming in contact lenses. The eye becomes painful, red, watery and light-sensitive, and a white spot may be visible.

Same-day problem. Fungal and bacterial ulcers can perforate the eye within days. Do not use steroid drops from the chemist: they make many infections worse. Come in, and bring your contact lenses and case if you wear them.

Keratoconus

The cornea thins and bulges into a cone shape, usually starting in the teens or twenties. Glasses power, especially cylinder, changes quickly and vision is never quite sharp.

Risk factors: heavy eye rubbing, eye allergies (very common in children in our climate), family history
Diagnosis: corneal topography and tomography
Corneal cross-linking (CXL / C3R): riboflavin drops and UV light stiffen the cornea and can stop keratoconus getting worse. It works best early
Vision: glasses in early stages; rigid or scleral contact lenses later
Transplant: only for advanced cases with scarring

The single most useful advice: stop rubbing your eyes, and get any allergy treated.

Corneal transplant (keratoplasty)

When the cornea is badly scarred or swollen, it can be replaced with healthy donor tissue from an eye bank. Depending on the problem, the whole thickness is replaced (penetrating keratoplasty) or only the damaged layer (lamellar keratoplasty, DSEK/DMEK). Recovery takes months, and regular follow-up is essential to prevent rejection.

Eye donation after death restores sight to others. Talk to your family about pledging your eyes.

Questions

Can keratoconus be cured?

It can't be reversed, but cross-linking can stop it progressing in most people. Vision is then managed with glasses or special lenses.

Is LASIK possible with keratoconus?

No. LASIK thins the cornea further and can make keratoconus much worse. This is why the LASIK assessment always includes corneal mapping.

How long does a corneal transplant last?

Many last decades. Success depends on the original problem and on using drops and attending follow-ups as advised.