Corneal Disease

Your visit starts with a thorough eye exam where our eye doctors check your vision and examine all parts of your eyes. We will ask about your symptoms, medical history, and any recent eye injuries. This helps us understand what might be causing your corneal problem and guides our next steps in testing and treatment.

We use a special microscope called a slit lamp to get a detailed look at your cornea. This instrument shines a thin beam of light through your eye, allowing our ophthalmologists to see even small changes in your cornea's shape, thickness, or clarity. The exam is painless and gives us important information about your condition that we cannot see with regular examination.

This advanced test creates a detailed map of your cornea's surface, similar to how a topographic map shows the hills and valleys of land. Corneal topography helps us diagnose conditions like keratoconus by showing exactly how your cornea's shape has changed from normal. The test is quick and comfortable, requiring you to look into a special camera that takes measurements.

Depending on your symptoms, we may recommend other tests to get a complete picture of your corneal health:

 
• Pachymetry to measure corneal thickness for certain diseases and surgical planning

 

• Tear film analysis including tear breakup time and tear production tests

 

• Corneal cultures to identify specific germs if infection is suspected

 

• Advanced imaging with optical coherence tomography to see corneal layers in detail

Corneal pain often feels sharp, like something is stuck in your eye, or like you have sand under your eyelid. It usually gets worse with blinking or in bright lights. You may also notice tearing, redness, or blurred vision. If you have sudden, severe eye pain or vision changes, contact our office immediately for an urgent evaluation, as some corneal problems can cause permanent damage if not treated quickly.

Some corneal diseases can affect vision permanently if left untreated, but many conditions respond very well to treatment when caught early. Infectious corneal ulcers and severe injuries are most likely to cause lasting vision problems if not treated immediately. The key is getting proper diagnosis and care as soon as possible. Our ophthalmologists work hard to preserve and restore your vision using the most effective treatments available.

Most corneal conditions can be managed with non-surgical treatments like eye drops, special contact lenses, or office-based laser procedures. Surgery is usually only needed for advanced diseases that do not respond to other treatments or when the cornea is severely damaged. If surgery is recommended, our team will thoroughly explain the procedure, discuss your options, and help you understand what to expect during recovery.

Healing time varies greatly depending on the type and severity of your corneal condition. Minor abrasions may heal in 24 to 48 hours, while infections might take several weeks to fully resolve with treatment. Chronic conditions like Fuchs dystrophy require ongoing management rather than complete healing. After corneal surgery, recovery can take several months. Our ophthalmologists will give you realistic expectations for your specific situation.

Some types of infectious keratitis can be contagious, especially those caused by bacteria or viruses. These infections can spread through direct contact or shared items like towels, pillowcases, or eye makeup. However, many corneal diseases like keratoconus, Fuchs dystrophy, and dry eye are not contagious at all. If you have an infection, we will provide specific instructions about protecting others and preventing spread.

This depends on your specific condition and its severity. Some corneal diseases actually require special therapeutic contact lenses as part of treatment, like scleral lenses for keratoconus. However, if you have an active infection or severe dry eye, you should avoid wearing any lenses until your eye heals completely. Our eye doctors will evaluate your individual situation and recommend the best approach for your corneal health and vision needs.

Corneal cross-linking is a procedure used to strengthen the cornea in keratoconus patients. During treatment, we remove the surface layer of the cornea, apply vitamin B2 drops, and then expose the eye to UV light for about 30 minutes. This creates new bonds in the corneal tissue to prevent further bulging. Most patients experience mild to moderate discomfort for a few days afterward, similar to having a scratched eye. We provide pain medication and protective contact lenses to keep you comfortable while healing.

Corneal transplants have very high success rates, especially the newer partial-thickness procedures like DMEK and DSAEK. These modern techniques often result in faster healing, better vision, and lower rejection rates compared to full-thickness transplants. Most patients see significant improvement in their vision, though it may take several months to achieve the best results. The success of your transplant depends on your specific condition, overall eye health, and how well you follow post-surgical care instructions.

Both DSAEK and DMEK are partial-thickness corneal transplants that replace only the back layer of cells, rather than the entire cornea. DMEK uses a thinner piece of donor tissue and often provides better vision with faster recovery, but the surgery is more technically challenging. DSAEK uses slightly thicker donor tissue and may be easier to perform in certain situations. Your surgeon will recommend the best option based on your specific condition and needs.

Yes, severe dry eye can cause serious damage to your cornea over time. Without adequate tears, the corneal surface can develop small scratches, thin areas, or even holes in extreme cases. Severe dry eye can also lead to corneal infections and ulcers. This is why it is important to treat dry eye properly with artificial tears, prescription medications, or other treatments your eye doctor recommends, rather than ignoring the symptoms.

Some temporary blurriness is normal after many corneal treatments as your eye heals. Eye drops can cause temporary blurring, and procedures like cross-linking or transplant surgery typically cause vision changes during the healing process. However, sudden severe vision loss, increasing pain, or new symptoms like flashing lights are not normal and require immediate medical attention. We will let you know what to expect for your specific treatment.

The frequency of your eye exams depends on your specific condition and how well it is controlled. Patients with active infections may need to be seen every few days until the infection clears. Those with chronic conditions like keratoconus or Fuchs dystrophy typically need checkups every 6 to 12 months. After corneal surgery, you will need frequent visits initially, then less often as you heal. Our team will create a follow-up schedule that is right for your situation.