Microcornea

- Op. Dr. Mehmet Ali Özdil
- Last updated:
- 2 min read
- Medically reviewed by Op. Dr. Deniz Oygar Baylançiçek
What is Microcornea?
Microcornea is a condition in which the horizontal diameter of the cornea is less than 10 mm in a normal-sized eyeball. The cornea is a transparent dome in the anterior part of the eye that enables clear vision by refracting light.
Microcornea itself may not affect vision directly; what affects vision is mainly the hyperopia, glaucoma and cataract that often accompany it. Microcornea itself cannot be corrected; treatment aims to protect the existing vision by treating the problems that accompany it. This rare eye disease usually affects both eyes, but sometimes only one. Regular eye check-ups help to pick up accompanying problems such as glaucoma in good time.
What Causes Microcornea?
Microcornea is a rare condition. It can affect both sexes equally and usually occurs at birth or early in life. Microcornea is usually genetic; in some cases no cause is found.
However, several factors are thought to play a role, including
- Microcornea may be inherited in some families.
- Some infections, such as rubella or toxoplasmosis, can lead to birth defects and cause various eye abnormalities, including microcornea.
- Some medications, such as thalidomide, can cause birth defects, including microcornea.
- Babies born prematurely have a higher risk of developing microcornea.
What are the Symptoms of Microcornea?
Microcornea is a rare eye disease characterised by a cornea that is smaller than normal. The most common symptoms of microcornea disease are.
- Blurred vision
- Sensitivity to light
- Excessive watering of the eyes
- Redness of the eyes
- Eye pain
How is microcornea treatment performed?
Microcornea itself cannot be corrected: the size of the cornea cannot be changed. The aim of microcornea treatment is to treat the problems that accompany it, such as glaucoma, cataract and refractive errors, and so to protect vision.
Where the cornea has also lost its transparency, a corneal transplant (keratoplasty) may be considered. In keratoplasty, corneal tissue that has lost its transparency is replaced with healthy tissue from a donor; whether the operation is suitable is decided by your doctor after a thorough examination.
Microcornea Prognosis
Diagnosis of microcornea is done by a physical examination by an ophthalmologist. The doctor will use special instruments to measure the size and shape of the cornea. He or she will also check visual acuity and eye pressure.
In microcornea, vision depends on how small the cornea is and on the problems that accompany it. Correcting the refractive error and treating conditions such as glaucoma and cataract in good time can preserve the existing vision, which is why regular eye check-ups matter.
How Much Is Microcornea Treatment Price?
Microcornea treatment price varies depending on the underlying cause and the operation to be performed. The treatment plan to be created by our specialist ophthalmologist depending on the detailed examination results may vary from person to person.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What problems does microcornea cause?
Is microcornea genetic?
Does microcornea cause vision loss?
Can microcornea cause glaucoma?
Can microcornea occur in both eyes?
Patient Reviews
References
- 1.Microcornea (MedGen C0266544) · NCBI MedGen
- 2.Nanophthalmos · EyeWiki (AAO)
- 3.Microphthalmos · EyeWiki (AAO)