Corneal Disease
The cornea is the transparent part of the eye that covers the front portion of the eye including the pupil, iris, and anterior chamber. It transmits light to the interior of the eye allowing us to see clearly. Corneal disease is a serious condition that can cause clouding, distortion, and even blindness.
Causes of Corneal Disease
There are many different causes of corneal disease including:
- Infection
- Age
- Heredity
- Contact lenses
- Eye trauma
- Dry Eyes
Cornea Surgery
The advancements in corneal surgery allow for a wide variety of medical treatments. Including:
Descemet’s Stripping with Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSEK)- DSEK is an advanced partial-thickness cornea transplant procedure that replaces only the damaged cell layer rather than replacing the entire thickness of the cornea. This allows the cornea to heal more quickly and stranger than it would otherwise. Because this technique leaves a smoother surface, results show patients have significantly improved vision following surgery.
Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK)- Similar to DSEK, DMEK is an advanced partial-thickness cornea transplant procedure that involves the removal of two of the five corneal layers: the Descemet’s membrane and endothelium layers. These removed layers are replaced by donor tissue.
Corneal Cross-Linking- Used to treat patients with keratoconus, corneal cross-linking is a minimally invasive early intervention surgery. Through the use of eye drops and ultraviolet light, your cornea surgeon can strengthen the collagen fibers in the cornea. The goal of the surgery is to prevent the progression of keratoconus and the need for a full corneal transplant later in life.