Medical dictionary

What are corneal diseases? Corneal diseases are a group of serious conditions in which the cornea may become clouded, distorted or scarred and can even lead to blindness. The cornea is the clear layer on your eyeball which allows the passage of light into the eye, and this is largely responsible for focusing your vision. Corneal diseases are treated by ophthalmologists. The mos

What is corneal dystrophy? Corneal dystrophies are a group of over twenty genetic conditions which affect the cornea, the front part of the eye. The cornea is made up of five layers and they must be clear in order for you to see well. Water, nutrients and other matter usually pass through these layers but in the case of corneal dystrophies, one or more of these layers becomes water-logged and a

What is a corneal transplant? A corneal transplant, also called keratoplasty, is the total or partial replacement of the cornea, which is the transparent external lens located in the front of the eye, which is responsible for our vision. This is one of the most common transplants, in which the cornea of a recently deceased donor is used, whose eyes have been tested to ensure that they are su

What is a corneal ulcer? A corneal ulcer is an open ulcer that is found in the outer layer of the cornea. If the corneal ulcer is not treated, it can lead to the appearance of scars on the cornea, to a considerable loss of vision or even to the loss of the eye. Corneal ulcers are treated by ophthalmologists.  What are the symptoms of a corneal ulcer? The main symptoms are:

What is a coronary angiography? A coronary angiogram, also known as coronary angiography, is an examination carried out with an X-ray in which the coronary arteries are visualised, along with the blood vessels that surround the heart, whose function is to transport blood to the heart. To visualise the arteries, a special type of dye called contrast medium is injected and X-ray images are taken

What is a coronary angioplasty? Coronary angioplasty is an endovascular procedure to improve blood flow to the heart by dilating arteries with balloons and stents (metal scaffolds). Over time, fat-laden plaques tend to build up within the blood vessels, narrowing and hardening the arteries. A coronary angioplasty can help improve blood circulation to the heart whenever your arteries are

What is coronary artery bypass surgery? Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is an open heart surgical procedure. It diverts blood around narrowed or clogged parts of the major arteries to improve blood flow and oxygen supply to the heart.   What is coronary bypass surgery for? As we’ve said, CABG restores the normal blood flow to the arteries, thus avoiding extremely

What is a coronary CT? A coronary CT scan or coronary CT angiogram (CCTA) is an imaging test used to examine the condition of the arteries and other blood vessels coming in and out of the heart. CT stands for computerised tomography. This scans utilise X-ray images taken from multiple angles to produce a complete cross-section of the body part that needs examining – in this case, the h

What is coronary heart disease?  Coronary heart disease (CHD), also known as ischaemic heart disease or coronary artery disease (CAD), is when the coronary arteries narrow over time due to a build-up of fatty material within the artery walls. The coronary arteries are responsible for supplying the heart with oxygenated blood. Is there a cure for coronary heart disease? If treated