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The cornea has three main layers (thin outer and inner layers and a thick middle layer). In some diseases, only the inside layer (endothelium) is affected, causing corneal oedema (swelling) and clouding.
The cornea has three main layers (thin outer and inner layers and a thick middle layer). In some diseases, only the inside layer (endothelium) is affected, causing corneal oedema (swelling) and clouding.
Progression of Keratoconus depends on the patient’s age at the time of onset and the severity of eye rubbing. The earlier the onset, the faster Keratoconus may progress. The condition always affects both eyes and is asymmetric, so one eye may be more affected than the other.
Progression of Keratoconus depends on the patient’s age at the time of onset and the severity of eye rubbing. The earlier the onset, the faster Keratoconus may progress. The condition always affects both eyes and is asymmetric, so one eye may be more affected than the other.
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About Cornea
The cornea, known as the clear window at the front of the eye, plays a vital role in vision. It provides two-thirds of the eye’s focusing power and is crucial for maintaining a clear and sharp image. However, the cornea can be affected by various conditions, including inflammatory diseases, infections, and shape disorders.
Some commonly seen corneal conditions include:
- Keratitis: inflammation of the cornea.
- Corneal abrasion: a scratch on the cornea occurring due to trauma or weakness of the epithelium (the outermost skin of the cornea)
- Corneal foreign body: a piece of debris embedding itself superficially on the surface of the cornea.
- Corneal laceration: a partial or full-thickness wound of the cornea as a result of trauma.
- Keratoconus: a condition causing thinning and distortion of the cornea
- Corneal scarring: a grey-white mark left behind as a result of trauma or previous inflammation of the cornea.
- Fuchs endothelial dystrophy: a corneal condition where the cornea becomes waterlogged as a result of poorly functioning endothelial cells.
- Corneal dystrophies: inherited conditions causing gradual opacification of the cornea as a result of the metabolic by-products.
Symptoms
Symptoms experienced depend on the cause of the problem. These may include:
- Pain
- Redness
- Light sensitivity
- Doubling of vision
- Hazy vision
Examination / Diagnosis
The cornea’s abnormalities and subsequent diagnosis depend on the underlying problem.
If you experience any symptoms related to the cornea or require a comprehensive evaluation, we recommend scheduling an appointment with one of our skilled cornea specialists in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. They have undergone extensive subspecialty training in the field and are dedicated to diagnosing and treating various corneal conditions to ensure optimal eye health and vision for our patients.
Comprehensive Assessments
We offer a comprehensive range of eye care assessments, diagnostics, surgical and non-surgical treatment services. Assessment services: (evaluation examinations may differ depending on outcome of consultation) (expandable links below)
Refractive Surgery Assessment (Laser Assessment)
- General Health Assessment
- Optometry assessment
- Pentacam
- Consultation with Cornea and Laser Refractive Consultant
Phakic Implant (ICL)
- General Health Assessment
- Optometry assessment
- Pentacam
- Cell count
- Consultation with Retina Consultant
Conditions & Treatment
Corneal Cross-Linking
About Corneal Cross-Linking
Corneal cross-linking (CXL) is a treatment for patients with keratoconus which can prevent their condition getting worse. CXL is successful in preventing the condition deteriorating in more than 90% of cases. Keratoconus worsens as the cornea weakens. CXL uses ultraviolet light and vitamin B2 (riboflavin) drops to harden the cornea. Together, they cause fibers within the cornea to cross-link – or bond more firmly. This treatment emulates the normal age-related hardening of the cornea, which is known as natural cross-linkingCorneal Cross-Linking
About Corneal Cross-Linking
Corneal cross-linking (CXL) is a treatment for patients with keratoconus which can prevent their condition getting worse. CXL is successful in preventing the condition deteriorating in more than 90% of cases. Keratoconus worsens as the cornea weakens. CXL uses ultraviolet light and vitamin B2 (riboflavin) drops to harden the cornea. Together, they cause fibers within the cornea to cross-link – or bond more firmly. This treatment emulates the normal age-related hardening of the cornea, which is known as natural cross-linking
Corneal Transplant
About Corneal Transplant
The cornea is a window of transparent tissue at the front of the eyeball. It allows light to pass into the eye and provides focus so that images can be seen clearly. Various diseases or injuries can make the cornea either cloudy or change shape. This prevents the normal passage of light into the eye and affects vision.The cornea has three main layers (thin outer and inner layers and a thick middle layer). In some diseases, only the inside layer (endothelium) is affected, causing corneal oedema (swelling) and clouding.
Corneal Transplant
About Corneal Transplant
The cornea is a window of transparent tissue at the front of the eyeball. It allows light to pass into the eye and provides focus so that images can be seen clearly. Various diseases or injuries can make the cornea either cloudy or change shape. This prevents the normal passage of light into the eye and affects vision.The cornea has three main layers (thin outer and inner layers and a thick middle layer). In some diseases, only the inside layer (endothelium) is affected, causing corneal oedema (swelling) and clouding.
Keratoconus
About Keratoconus
The word Keratoconus comes from two Greek words: kerato (cornea) and konos (cone). Keratoconus is a degenerative disorder of the eye in which the shape of the cornea, which is usually round, is distorted and develops a cone-shaped bulge, resulting in reduced vision. Keratoconus is a relatively common condition. It affects one person in two thousand, occurs around the world and is quite common in the Middle East.Progression of Keratoconus depends on the patient’s age at the time of onset and the severity of eye rubbing. The earlier the onset, the faster Keratoconus may progress. The condition always affects both eyes and is asymmetric, so one eye may be more affected than the other.
Keratoconus
About Keratoconus
The word Keratoconus comes from two Greek words: kerato (cornea) and konos (cone). Keratoconus is a degenerative disorder of the eye in which the shape of the cornea, which is usually round, is distorted and develops a cone-shaped bulge, resulting in reduced vision. Keratoconus is a relatively common condition. It affects one person in two thousand, occurs around the world and is quite common in the Middle East.Progression of Keratoconus depends on the patient’s age at the time of onset and the severity of eye rubbing. The earlier the onset, the faster Keratoconus may progress. The condition always affects both eyes and is asymmetric, so one eye may be more affected than the other.
Meibomian Gland Dysfunction
About Meibomian Gland Dysfunction
Meibomian glands are present in the eyelids and provide the oily part of the tear film that slows the evaporation. When they are blocked, the evaporation is higher and dry eye symptoms develop. Meibomian Gland Dysfunction usually appears in older adults. Suggested risk factors are: Asian populations, frequent eye-liner users, and contact lenses.Meibomian Gland Dysfunction
About Meibomian Gland Dysfunction
Meibomian glands are present in the eyelids and provide the oily part of the tear film that slows the evaporation. When they are blocked, the evaporation is higher and dry eye symptoms develop. Meibomian Gland Dysfunction usually appears in older adults. Suggested risk factors are: Asian populations, frequent eye-liner users, and contact lenses.Cornea Specialists
Dr. Osama Giledi
Consultant Ophthalmologist in Cataract, Cornea and Refractive Vision Correction Surgery
Dr. Osama Giledi is a Consultant Ophthalmologist specialising in Cornea, Cataract and Refractive Surgery at Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai in Dubai Healthcare City.
Dr. Osama is skilled in managing ocular surface problems, including severe dry eye and Stem cell deficiency. He performs small incision phacoemulsification for his cataract surgery and is experienced in using toric and multifocal premium intraocular lenses. Dr. Osama’s expertise in managing complex corneal conditions includes all types of modern corneal graft procedures, such as DALK and DSAEK. He has performed over 23,000 refractive surgeries, including Lasik, LASEK, Intralase LASIK and Trans PRK, and phakic IOLs. He delivers the latest treatment for keratoconus, including Intracorneal ring segments, corneal cross-linking and complex laser treatment.
Dr. Osama graduated from Libya and completed his ophthalmic training in the UK, attaining a Fellowship in Ophthalmology from The Royal College of Edinburgh in 1996. He completed two years of higher subspecialty training fellowship on the anterior segment, Cornea and refractive surgery in 2003 at the prestigious Corneoplastic Unit and Eye Bank at Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead. He worked as a Consultant Ophthalmologist at the Centre for Sight London and the Corneoplastic Unit and Eye Bank at Queen Victoria Hospital. Dr Osama has 22 years of experience in the UK, providing services for anterior segment, Cornea, Refractive and cataract surgery.
In addition to his clinical commitments, Dr. Osama has extensive experience in teaching and training; he is a noted presenter at national and international meetings and has extensive research published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. He is a member of the Royal College Surgeons of Edinburgh, the United Kingdom & Ireland Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, and the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons.
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Dr. Nadim Habash
Consultant Ophthalmologist in Cornea and Ocular Surface Diseases
Dr. Nadim Habash is an American Board-Certified Consultant Ophthalmologist specialising in Cornea, Ocular Surface Diseases, and General Ophthalmology at Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai in Dubai Healthcare City.
Dr. Nadim undertook his speciality training at George Washington University in Washington D.C., U.S.A., where he also served as Chief Resident. He then acquired an additional Cornea and External Disease Fellowship at the University of Florida, Gainesville, U.S.A.
Dr. Nadim is a Diplomate of the American Board of Ophthalmology and a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada FRCS(C).
Over the past 40 years, Dr. Nadim has had extensive experience in Corneal transplantation and Anterior Segment Diseases in several countries, including the United States of America, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Dr. Nadim has worked and held leadership and academic positions in prestigious institutions, including the University of Ohio at Toledo, Ohio, U.S.A., the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and the King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital in Saudi Arabia, and at the American Hospital Dubai, where he held key positions including Chief of Medical Staff, Assistant Chief Medical Officer and Director of Ophthalmology.
Dr. Nadim published several papers about Corneal transplantation, chaired many scientific conferences and symposia, and participated actively in teaching medical students and Ophthalmology residents.
Throughout his career, Dr. Nadim held memberships in several scientific organisations, including a fellowship of the American College of Surgeons, the American Academy of Ophthalmology membership, and many regional and local societies
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Dr. Miguel Morcillo
Consultant Ophthalmologist in Cornea, Cataract and Refractive vision correction surgery
Dr. Miguel Morcillo is a Consultant Ophthalmologist specialising in Cornea, Cataract and Refractive (Vision Correction – LASIK, LASEK, TransPRK) Surgery at Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai in Dubai Healthcare City.
Dr. Miguel holds a Spanish Degree in Medicine from the Universitat de Valencia. He completed his Residency in Ophthalmology under the MIR (Medico Interno Residente) system of the Spanish Ministry of Health. He has more than 25 years of experience, most of which was attained in Spain. He also worked in Italy and finally moved to the UAE in 2017 and has been practising in the UAE since that time. Dr. Miguel started his career working with Clinica Baviera, the largest private ophthalmology group in Europe, in Madrid and Valencia. He helped develop many of the refractive treatments offered today, such as LASIK, LASEK, ICLs and multifocal IOLs, in addition to collaborations with other hospitals to provide high-quality cataract and refractive surgery to patients. Dr. Miguel trained in cornea surgery at NIIOS Eye Institute (Rotterdam) and, since then became an experienced educator for other surgeons in the fields of the anterior segment and refractive surgery.
He has been a member of “Surgical Eye Expeditions International” since 1999, an American non-government organisation that arranges eye camps worldwide. Dr. Miguel has assisted several eye charity camps in numerous countries of Africa, in addition to Peru, Panama and India, providing free eye care and performing surgeries to those who could not afford it in less developed areas.
His research efforts include surgical topics and outcomes such as Ultrathin LASIK, Keratoconus screening, ICLs, and multifocal IOLs, among others. He has presented various papers in national and international congresses and journals and organised educational courses on refractive surgery for peers and opticians.
He is a member of Sociedad Española de Oftalmologia (SEO), the Panamerican Association of Ophthalmology (PAAO) and the European Vitreoretinal Society (EVRS).
He is also the recipient of the Dr. P C Mahendra Memorial ACOIN International Award in India in recognition of his charitable work with people in need.
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Dr. Esmaeil Arbabi
Medical Director and Consultant Ophthalmologist in Corneal transplant, Cataract & Refractive Surgery
Dr. Esmaeil Mohammad Arbabi is a Consultant Ophthalmologist with excellent surgical experience including all types of corneal transplants (DMEK, DSAEK, PDEK, DALK, PKP), ocular surface reconstruction, complex cataract and laser refractive surgery.
Prior to joining Moorfields Eye Hospital Center, he was Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon (Cornea, Cataract & Laser Refractive Surgery) and the Lead for Refractive Services at Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
Dr. Esmaeil holds several prestigious degrees and certifications in the field of cataract and refractive surgery including MSc in Cataract and Refractive Surgery, Certificate in Laser and Refractive Surgery (CertLRS) from Royal College of Ophthalmologist and Fellow of European Board of Ophthalmology Subspecialty Diploma in Cataract and Refractive Surgery (FEBOS-CR).
He is a member of Royal College of Ophthalmologists, European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, European Board of Ophthalmology, UK Cross-Linking Consortium, EYE -LAW CHAMBERS - Medicolegal Expert and Expert, Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL).
He is instrumental in high quality papers in various peer reviewed journals and numerous scientific and ophthalmology publications. He is also an examiner for the University of Leeds and the University of Liverpool and for the European Board of Ophthalmologist (FEBO exam).
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