What is corneal disease?
Our experts understand and treat corneal conditions that affect how you see the world.
The cornea protects your inner eye against dirt, germs and ultraviolet light. When light enters your eye, it’s bent by the cornea and helps you focus. When the cornea is affected by disease, infection or injury, things just might not look right.
When you’re experiencing cornea problems, you might notice pain, blurred vision, tearing, redness or an extreme sensitivity to light. Often, the cornea can heal itself after a minor infection. But sometimes, advanced issues like keratoconus, Fuchs endothelial dystrophy and dry eye syndrome require additional consultation and treatment plans.
During your initial consultation, we evaluate the progression of your cornea disease and customize a plan just for you. We work to understand your challenges and recommend a state-of-the-art approach to helping you achieve better vision and see even better results.
What are the different types of Corneal Disease?
There are many different types of corneal disease but the three main types are outlined below.
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Keratoconus
Keratoconus is a progressive thinning and weakening of the cornea that occurs when the middle of the cornea thins and bulges outward, forming a rounded cone shape. This abnormal curvature alters the cornea's ability to focus light, producing distortion (astigmatism) and blurriness (nearsightedness) of vision. At first, individuals with this corneal degenerative disease can correct their vision with eyeglasses but eventually might require specially fitted contact lenses to minimize the distortion and provide better vision.
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Fuchs endothelial dystrophy
A hereditary eye disease that affects the cornea and usually tends to show up later in life resulting in a swelled cornea, sensitivity to light and extended blurry vision.
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Experts in Corneal Cross-Linking
Our team is trained in the latest technology and treatments.
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Corneal Cross Linking is FDA Approved
The first and only FDA approved therapeutic treatment for progressive keratoconus and corneal ectasia.
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Leaders in Innovation
AVEDRO Technology combines ultra-violet light and riboflavin eye drops.
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A Best in Class Solution
Minimally invasive outpatient procedures and faster recovery times.
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We always promise the highest quality care.
We’re always compassionate, always listening and always ready to help.
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Corneal Transplant Surgery
Sometimes, the only choice for improved vision is a corneal transplant surgery, particularly when there’s irreversible swelling from Fuchs’ Dystrophy or after cataract surgery. Alternatives like DMEK (Descemet’s Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty) and DSAEK (Descemet’s Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty) replace the back layers of the cornea and restore vision.
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DSAEK
We often treat Fuch’s Dystrophy and reduce corneal swelling through DSEK, a corneal transplant that rids the eye of the nonfunctioning tissue and restores vision.
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Collagen Cross-Linking
Cornea collagen cross-linking (CXL) prevents the progression of keratoconus or Post-Lasik ectasia, an eye condition that deteriorates and thins the cornea, eventually causing severe vision impairment. Our experienced team uses AVEDRO technology to reshape the cornea using cross-linking surgery.
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Intacs
Intacs Surgery can reduce nearsightedness and astigmatism especially in patients with keratoconus, by flattening the cornea and inserting inlays that refocus light rays as they enter the eye and improve vision.
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Amniotic Tissue
Amniotic tissue is used as a new option for surgery, providing patients with an anti-inflammatory approach and faster recovery. This procedure is done in an office setting.
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Specialty Contact Lenses
Sometimes we recommend a special scleral contact lens for patients with an irregular cornea, keratoconus or severe dry eyes. These lenses are larger in diameter and gas permeable and cover the entire cornea surface.
If you’d like to learn more about the different types of corneal disease and their treatment options, visit the corneal treatment page on our parent website.
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