Best cornea doctor in Egypt

The cornea is considered one of the most delicate parts of the eye. It is the outer surface of the eye that comes into contact with the external environment, and it is exposed to dozens of problems and diseases that require the best cornea specialist in Egypt to treat them with a high degree of precision and efficiency. Here, the name of Dr. Sherif Momtaz Hegazy stands out, as he is the most experienced ophthalmology and eye-surgery specialist in this field. Today, he will introduce us to the definition of the cornea, its diseases and problems, and how to deal with them clearly.

Anatomy of the Cornea

The cornea of the eye is a slightly convex transparent tissue located at the front of the eye and consists of 5 tissue layers separated by two membranes.

This cornea works to refract light rays entering the eye before they reach the inner structures, and it contains no blood vessels. Instead, it receives oxygen and nutrients from the external air, as oxygen dissolves in the tear fluid and reaches all parts of the cornea.

The cornea was named after Ibn Masawayh, who compared it to a polished white horn.

In addition, the cornea contains nerve endings that are highly sensitive to temperature, touch, and chemicals, causing the eye to close involuntarily upon contact.

The most important characteristic of the cornea is its high transparency, which is due to the absence of blood vessels.

This detailed understanding of the cornea makes choosing the best cornea specialist in Egypt a necessary step when treating corneal problems.

Layers of the Cornea

Corneal injuries are related to the depth and layers of the cornea. The best cornea specialist in Egypt knows that treatment depends on these measures, and a precise anatomical understanding ensures high-efficiency treatment without excess or deficiency.

Accordingly, the cornea consists of five layers, ordered from the outer to inner layers as follows:

• Corneal Epithelium: A layer of multi-layered epithelial tissue that is extremely thin. It consists of rapidly growing squamous cells that remain moist thanks to tears. The surface is smooth to facilitate contact with air and is the most important layer in determining the refractive power of the eye.
• Bowman’s Layer: An anterior membrane considered a subepithelial irregular membrane composed of tightly woven collagen fibers.
• Corneal Stroma: The middle layer of the cornea, with high thickness and transparency. It consists of regular collagen fibers and acts as maintenance cells. The stroma comprises about 200 collagen fiber layers, each 1.5–2.5 microns thick, forming approximately 90% of the total corneal thickness.
• Descemet’s Membrane: A thin cellular layer serving as a base membrane for the corneal endothelium. It consists of type IV collagen fibers and is less rigid than other layers, with a thickness of about 15 microns, which varies according to age.
• Corneal Endothelium: A single-cell layer, approximately 5 microns thick, rich in mitochondria. These cells regulate fluid transport, and they do not regenerate; they stretch to replace dead cells. If they fail to replace damaged cells, fluid balance in the cornea is disrupted, and transparency is lost.

Corneal Diseases and Injuries

The importance of the best cornea specialist in Egypt is highlighted when considering the complexity and microscopic nature of corneal diseases, which require extreme precision for treatment. Dr. Sherif Momtaz Hegazy is an expert cornea specialist capable of treating all corneal problems, including:

• Corneal Opacity: This can be congenital or secondary, depending on when and why it occurs. Congenital opacity affects the patient from birth, with damaged corneal tissue of varying sizes and shapes without a clear cause. Secondary opacity results from eye infections or burns caused by strong chemicals. Severe opacities significantly affect vision quality and are treated surgically.
• Keratoconus: Often, the cornea shape changes due to factors such as congenital corneal weakness, prolonged steroid use, or severe allergic conjunctivitis. In keratoconus, the cornea’s normally slight convex shape protrudes forward at the center, gradually affecting one or both eyes. This condition significantly impacts vision as it disrupts light refraction onto the retina. Treatment includes rigid contact lenses, corneal ring implantation, corneal cross-linking, and in severe cases, partial or full corneal transplantation.
• Keratitis (Corneal Inflammation): Corneal inflammations include bacterial infections that can cause ulcers if untreated. Bacterial keratitis often begins with superficial scratches and can reach deep layers within 24 hours, requiring prompt antibiotic treatment. Viral keratitis can also cause corneal ulcers and is treated with antiviral medications and antibiotic eye drops. The eye may be covered to speed up healing. Severe viral infections such as those caused by smallpox or measles can lead to permanent vision loss.

Methods for Diagnosing Corneal Diseases

The best cornea specialist in Egypt does not treat corneal diseases without accurate diagnosis and comprehensive testing, including:

• Microscopic Corneal Examination: Evaluates corneal health and anterior eye structures using light beams of varying thickness and angles.
• Corneal Measurement: Determines corneal refractive power, essential before manufacturing corrective contact lenses.
• Topographic Imaging: Uses a pentacam and corneal topography to map the surface of the cornea in detail.
• Corneal Thickness Measurement: Determines corneal thickness to select appropriate treatment options.
• Microscopic Endothelial Examination: Evaluates the density of endothelial cells to assess the ability to replace damaged cells.
• Corneal Staining Test: Uses fluorescein and rose bengal dyes to identify corneal surface defects clearly.

Symptoms of Corneal Disease

Despite the diversity of corneal injuries and diseases, most share symptoms that indicate damage and necessitate immediate consultation with the best cornea specialist in Egypt, including:

• Persistent eye pain
• Blurred vision and difficulty seeing clearly
• Mild to moderate eye redness
• Feeling a foreign body in the eye
• Extreme sensitivity to natural and artificial light
• Headaches, especially when focusing
• Excessive tearing
• Visible triangular transparent protrusions on the corneal surface

Key Guidelines for Maintaining Corneal Health

The best cornea specialist in Egypt advises patients on how to keep their corneas healthy and prevent disease progression:

• Avoid rubbing or pressing the eyes, as this is a major cause of corneal injuries.
• Avoid prolonged use of contact lenses unless necessary.
• Wear protective eyewear when working in contaminated or hazardous environments.
• Exercise cautiously and avoid excessive physical strain to protect the eyes.
• Stop smoking, which is a primary cause of corneal stress and tissue damage.
• Wear sunglasses outdoors to reduce exposure to UV rays.
• Limit time on digital screens and take regular breaks.
• Avoid using low-quality or unreliable makeup products.
• Maintain proper reading posture regarding lighting and distance.

Treatment of Corneal Diseases

Modern medicine allows effective treatment of all corneal problems. The best cornea specialist in Egypt selects one or combines multiple approaches, including:

• Eye Drops and Ointments: Often containing antibiotics, they treat inflammation, ulcers, scratches, and sensitivity. Steroid drops may reduce inflammation and pain. Artificial tears or lubricating drops can treat dryness. Eye patches may be recommended for faster recovery and pain relief.
• Contact Lenses: Rigid gas-permeable lenses temporarily correct corneal shape while allowing oxygen flow to the cornea, improving vision.
• Corneal Cross-Linking (Riboflavin): Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) is applied to the cornea to strengthen collagen fibers. Ultraviolet light then activates new collagen links to stabilize keratoconus and prevent disease progression.
• Corneal Ring Implantation: Corrects abnormal corneal protrusions using femtosecond laser to create channels where biocompatible rings are inserted to reshape the cornea.
• Surgery: If other treatments fail, corneal surgery may be required. Procedures include:
  • Full Corneal Transplant: Replacing all corneal layers with a healthy donor cornea, often imported from the United States.
  • Partial Corneal Transplant: Replacing only damaged layers while preserving the endothelium, significantly reducing immune rejection risk.

Best Cornea Specialist in Egypt

The best cornea specialist in Egypt is Dr. Sherif Momtaz Hegazy, who has extensive experience in ophthalmology.

• Graduated from Cairo University with a master’s degree, followed by a PhD in ophthalmology from Kasr Al-Ainy.
• Teaching at the Institute of Ophthalmology Research in Egypt.
• Fellowship at the University of Tübingen, Germany.
• Member of the World Council of Ophthalmology.
• Advanced fellowship in retinal and vitreous surgeries at the University of Tübingen.
• International examiner for the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, UK.
• Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons.

Dr. Sherif Momtaz Hegazy has represented Egypt internationally, delivered professional lectures, and published research in top medical journals.

Today, his center is one of the leading ophthalmology centers in Egypt, equipped to treat any corneal problem, including keratoconus, using the latest diagnostic and therapeutic technologies to achieve excellent visual outcomes for all patients.