Cornea Treatment and Surgery Services

The cornea is the clear covering of the front of the eye which bends, or refracts, light rays as they enter the eye. For clear vision to occur, the cornea must have the correct shape and clarity to focus incoming light rays precisely on the retina at the back of the eye. When the cornea becomes cloudy or misshapen from injury, infection or disease, transplantation may be recommended to replace it.

Corneal transplants are usually performed with local anesthesia so there is no pain. During the procedure, the cornea is replaced with one from a human donor. The new cornea carries little risk of rejection and can last for many years.

The cornea is a thin, clear, spherical layer of tissue on the surface of the eye that provides a window for light to pass through. In a healthy eye, the cornea bends or refracts light rays so they focus precisely on the retina in the back of the eye.

There are many diseases that can affect the cornea, causing pain or loss of vision. Disease, infection or injury can cause the cornea to swell (called “edema”) or degrade (become cloudy and reduce vision).

Corneal cross-linking is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure that combines the use of Photrexa® Viscous (riboflavin 5’-phosphate in 20% dextran ophthalmic solution), Photrexa® (riboflavin 5’-phosphate ophthalmic solution) and the KXL® system for the treatment of progressive keratoconus.

The safety and effectiveness of corneal cross-linking has not been established in pregnant women, women who are breastfeeding, patients who are less than 14 years of age and patients 65 years of age or older.

Corneal cross-linking stiffens corneas that have been weakened by disease. Photrexa® solutions are the first and only therapeutic products for corneal cross-linking which have been FDA approved to treat progressive keratoconus, and we offer them to patients in our practice.

At Miramar Eye Specialists, we’re experts in treating pterygium, a condition where the conjunctiva grows over the cornea, leading to irritation, dryness, and vision changes. Early detection is key, and our team provides personalized care from your first visit to the choice of treatment tailored just for you.

We offer various treatments, from simple eye drops for mild irritation to advanced surgeries for more serious cases. Our goal is to reduce recurrence and improve your vision with the most compassionate and comprehensive care available.

Descemet-stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK) is the latest corneal transplantation technique, offering clear post-operative vision and a short recovery time. During the procedure, a circular mark is made on the cornea to guide the transplant size and removal area. The damaged corneal section is removed, and the donor cornea is placed and stitched onto the eye. An air bubble is then injected to center the cornea, and the pupil is dilated with eye drops.

Corneal transplantation, or keratoplasty, corrects improperly curved corneas and is used for conditions like dry eyes, corneal ulceration, and traumatic injury. The entire cornea is replaced with a donor graft, sutured in place, with stitches typically removed after a year. Vision restoration may take this long, often requiring glasses or contact lenses afterward.

We understand the discomfort dry eyes can cause, and our dedicated team focuses on identifying the underlying causes. Through thorough evaluations, we offer effective, personalized strategies to improve your eye health and comfort. Join the many who have found relief with our comprehensive care at Miramar Eye Specialists.

At Miramar Eye Specialists, we treat dry eyes with specialized procedures like Punctal Plugs, which alleviate symptoms by blocking tear ducts to retain moisture. This effective treatment is ideal for patients whose dry eye condition doesn’t improve with standard treatments like artificial tears or medications.