Cornea Center

The cornea is the clear, living tissue on the very front part of the eye. Occasionally, either through disease or injury, surgery is needed to restore full vision or arrest declining eyesight. Dr. David O’Day is skilled and experienced at performing the following corneal procedures.

Corneal Ulcer

A corneal ulcer, or eyesore is an inflammatory or infective condition of the cornea. Corneal ulcers are extremely painful due to nerve exposure, and can cause tearing, squinting, redness of the eye and vision loss. It is a common condition in the tropics and developing countries. Children with Vitamin A deficiency are at high risk for corneal ulcer and may become blind in both eyes. Herpes can also cause these painful ulcers.

Proper and prompt diagnosis is essential. Bacterial corneal ulcers require intensive antibiotic therapy. Fungal corneal ulcers require intensive treatment with anti-fungal agents. Viral corneal ulcers caused by herpes virus are treated with antivirals.

Superficial ulcers may heal in less than a week. Deep ulcers may require conjunctival grafts or conjunctival flaps, soft contact lenses, or corneal transplant.

Proper protein intake, Vitamin C and Vitamin A are usually advised.

Corneal Transplant

Corneal transplantation, also known as corneal grafting or penetrating keratoplasty, is a surgical procedure where a damaged or diseased cornea is replaced with donated corneal tissue. The surgical procedure is performed by an eye surgeon and often done on an outpatient basis.

DSAEK

DSAEK is a less invasive method of corneal grafting or transplant, DSAEK leaves the eye much stronger and less prone to injury than full-thickness transplants. Additionally, DSAEK has a more rapid rate of visual recovery. Vision is typically restored in one to six months rather than one to two years.

Pterygium most often refers to a benign growth of the conjunctiva, a delicate mucous membrane that covers the internal part of the eyelid and is attached to the cornea.

A pterygium is thought to be caused by exposure to sunlight, low humidity, and dust. As it is a benign growth, pterygium usually does not require surgery unless it grows to such an extent that it covers the pupil, obstructing vision or presents with acute symptoms.

Some of the irritating symptoms can be addressed with artificial tears and definitive treatment is achieved only by surgical removal. Long-term follow up is required as pterygium may recur.

Pinguecula

A pinguecula is a yellowish, slightly raised abrasion that forms on the surface of the white part of your eye close to the edge of the cornea, a common type of degeneration of the conjunctiva, the delicate mucous membrane that covers the internal part of the eyelid and is attached to the cornea.

In most people, pingueculae cause few symptoms, however a pinguecula might create a feeling that something is in the eye.

In some cases, pingueculae become swollen and inflamed, a condition called pingueculitis. Irritation and eye redness from pingueculitis usually result from exposure to sun, wind, dust or extremely dry conditions.

Lubricating eye drops are usually prescribed for mild cases and surgical removal may be considered in severe cases when it interferes with vision, contact lens wear or blinking.

Fuchs' Dystrophy

Fuchs' dystrophy is a slowly progressing corneal disease that usually affects both eyes, occurring more often in women than in men. Although doctors can often see early signs of Fuchs' dystrophy in people in their 30s and 40s, the disease rarely affects vision until people reach their 50s and 60s.

The early sign of this condition will be blurred vision on awakening that will gradually clear during the day. As the cornea retains fluids while we sleep it is normally thicker in the morning causing blurred vision. These fluids evaporate once we are awake. As the disease worsens, this swelling will remain constant and blurred vision will continue without clearing.

Treatment can include:

  - Eye drops or ointments to reduce the amount of fluid in your cornea
  - Use of a warm hair dryer at arm's length two or three times a day to evaporate excess fluid in the cornea
  - Wearing soft contact lenses to improve vision and reduce discomfort
  - Receiving a corneal transplant

If you suspect you have symptoms of Fuch’s dystrophy, schedule an eye examination immediately.