Medical dictionary

What is an intravitreal injection? An intravitreal injection is form of administering treatment for various eye disorders, such as macular degeneration. Treatment usually consists of using anti-VEGF drugs (which prevent the development of new blood vessels), immunosuppressive agents or anti-inflammatory drugs.             &nb

What is iStent? iStent is a treatment for glaucoma provided by eye specialists, or ophthalmologists. The iStent is a microscopic implant that allows the drainage of channels in the eye to reduce eye pressure in patients with glaucoma. Having the iStent inserted can reduce the need to use glaucoma eye drops for patients. However, iStent cannot reverse the damage already caused

What is it? Keratitis is a condition in which the eye's cornea becomes inflamed, mostly due to an ongoing infection. However, surgical trauma or any foreign object entering the eyes can also cause inflammation. This condition can affect anyone, but people with weakened immune function (caused by diseases such as HIV) and people who wear contact lenses have a higher risk of developing ker

What is keratoconus? Keratoconus is an eye disorder in which the corneal tissue thins and deforms. The cornea is unable to support the internal eye pressure and it bulges out in a cone shape, hence the name, kerato, which means cornea, and conus, which means cone shaped in Latin.  It is a degenerative condition of the cornea that appears progressively in one or both eyes.   &n

What are keratoprostheses (artificial cornea)?   Keratoprostheses is a surgical treatment where an artificial cornea is inserted to replace a damaged or diseased cornea, which has led to corneal blindness. It is usually required in cases where traditional corneal transplantation has failed because the ocular environment is too hostile for a corneal graft to survive.   

What is laser photocoagulation? Laser photocoagulation is a type of eye surgery that uses laser-generated heat in order to either reduce the size of or destroy any abnormal blood vessels that may be present in one's retina. The laser device can effectively cover any leaking blood vessels, whilst also being incredibly accurate and efficient when it comes to improving retinal oxygen

What are intraocular lenses?     Intraocular lenses (IOLs) are lenses used to replace damaged lenses. They are placed in the eye so that the light that enters goes to the retina. There are two types of intraocular lenses: Phakic: these are placed without having to take the lens out. Pseudophakic: these are placed after the lens is removed. An example is during 

What is low vision? Low vision is suffered by people who have difficulties in their daily lives because of alterations in vision that can be limiting. They usually have a visual acuity of 0.3 or less or a loss of visual field of less than 20 degrees. Hence, low vision is when you have lost a certain amount of your vision, making daily tasks difficult. Low vision may be characterised by a los

What is macular degeneration?   Macular degeneration is a condition which affects the macula, the part of the eye that provides us with clear central vision. As we grow, its function loses its abilities, causing macular degeneration, also known as AMD.   It is a fairly common ailment from the age of sixty onwards and can occur at various levels, sometimes it is impe