Pellucid Marginal Degeneration (PMD) is a chronic, slowly progressing condition that causes peripheral corneal thinning. The cornea is the dome shaped, transparent window in the front of the eye. It is crucial to recognise PMD because it may result in a serious decline in visual function. Additionally, refractive surgery patients with PMD may experience negative outcomes, thus this is something to take into account before having the procedure.
Despite its rarity, PMD is, after keratoconus, the most frequent non-inflammatory corneal thinning condition. However, some people speculate that because the ailment is frequently misdiagnosed as keratoconus, this incidence may really be understated. It is hypothesised that keratoconus, keratoglobus, and PMD are connected because they coexist in families.
PMD commonly manifests between the second and fifth decade of life. Although PMD has no sex or racial preference and does not appear to be genetic, families with affected patients have been found to have moderate to high astigmatism. Patients with PMD normally donot exhibit any symptoms, with the exception of gradual vision loss despite corrective eyewear because of uneven astigmatism. They occasionally exhibit acute corneal hydrops, discomfort, or a sharp decline in vision, but this is comparatively uncommon. Additionally, spontaneous corneal perforation has been documented. The cornea can become vascularized and scarred, but usually the cornea is clean and does not have neovascularization or lipid accumulation.
Unfortunately, there are no proven methods to prevent PMD. Given the corneal thinness, the potential link between PMD and eye rubbing and keratoconus, it could be wise to urge patients not to rub their eyes.
Moreover, the term “pellucid,” which means “transparent,” was coined to describe a degeneration in which the cornea frequently appears translucent. With the exception of gradual visual degeneration, patients are mostly asymptomatic, hence the diagnosis is made clinically.
At The Eye Center- Dr. Mahnaz Naveed Shah & Associates our team of eight ophthalmology subspecialists/ eye specialists, eye surgeons who are considered amongst the very best eye specialists and eye surgeons in Karachi as well as in Pakistan, have the diagnostic and treatment capabilities to treat from the simplest to the most complex patients. We work hard to provide our patients with the best possible medical and surgical eye care, in a state of the art purpose built eye care facility. We offer the entire array of medical, laser and surgical treatments to help provide patients the best possible care in the most efficient, safe and ethical manner.
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