Expert Care for Corneal Conditions
Expert Care for Your Corneal Disease
Our fellowship-trained cornea specialist offers a full spectrum of diagnostic and treatment options backed by decades of experience.
We address issues such as Fuchs’ Dystrophy and keratoconus to bring back the sharp, comfortable vision you deserve.
Targeted therapies lessen chronic pain, irritation, and light sensitivity so you can focus on life, not eye discomfort.
Return to driving, working, and hobbies with the confidence that comes from clear, dependable sight.
Our specialist applies elite fellowship training to every exam and procedure.
Options include corneal cross-linking as well as partial-thickness transplants such as DMEK and DALK for faster healing.
A dedicated care team supports you from diagnosis through recovery, answering questions and monitoring progress.
Core Concepts of Corneal Health
The cornea refracts light onto the retina and shields the eye from dust, germs, and injury. Its clarity and smooth curve are vital for crisp vision.
Corneal disease is any condition or injury that harms the cornea’s clarity, shape, or function, potentially leading to visual distortion or vision loss.
Because the cornea is exposed and delicate, routine eye exams are essential for catching problems early and preventing complications.
Recognizing changes quickly allows timely evaluation and treatment.
- Eye pain or discomfort
- Redness and inflammation
- Blurred or distorted vision
- Light sensitivity
- Excessive tearing or unusual discharge
- Sensation of a foreign body
Common Conditions and Symptoms
Several disorders may affect the cornea, and early diagnosis is key to preserving sight and comfort.
Our practice treats a wide variety of conditions that range from minor injuries to complex disease.
- Scarring from chemical injuries
- Corneal abrasions
- Corneal infections
- Corneal ulcers
- Corneal ectasia
- Keratoconus
- Corneal dystrophies
- Pterygium
This progressive thinning leads the cornea to bulge into a cone shape, causing distorted vision and glare. We provide custom contact lenses and corneal cross-linking to halt progression and improve clarity.
Inherited dystrophies, such as Map-Dot-Fingerprint or Lattice, cause deposits or scarring that may blur vision or cause discomfort. Management ranges from observation to advanced surgery.
Failure of endothelial cells allows fluid buildup that clouds the cornea, especially in the morning. Treatments include medicated drops and partial-thickness endothelial transplants such as DMEK and DSEK.
An open sore often stemming from infection or trauma causes severe pain, light sensitivity, and vision loss if untreated. Immediate intensive care is essential to save sight.
Advanced Diagnostic Technology
Accurate diagnosis guides effective treatment, and we use state-of-the-art tools to evaluate every layer of the cornea.
A narrow beam of light magnifies the cornea and surrounding tissues to reveal abrasions, ulcers, or dystrophies.
This imaging maps the corneal surface, highlighting shape irregularities useful in diagnosing keratoconus and ectasia.
Measuring corneal thickness helps detect swelling or degenerative changes and guides surgical planning.
Additional scans provide a comprehensive view of the corneal structure, pinpointing subtle problems that affect vision.
Optical Coherence Tomography captures high-resolution cross-sections to detect microscopic abnormalities for earlier intervention.
Treatment and Surgical Options
We tailor each plan to your condition, overall eye health, and personal goals, starting with the least invasive method that can achieve lasting results.
Many corneal conditions improve with advanced medical and device-based treatments.
- Custom scleral lenses that vault over the cornea and provide clear, comfortable vision
- Amniotic membranes that reduce inflammation and promote surface healing
- Targeted therapies to boost tear production and control inflammation, including prescription drops and serum tears
When disease is severe or unresponsive to other care, surgery can restore clarity and function.
- Partial-thickness transplants such as DALK that replace only damaged layers
- Endothelial keratoplasty procedures like DSEK and DMEK for inner-layer disease
- Full-thickness penetrating keratoplasty when damage involves all corneal layers
Causes and Contributing Factors
Corneal disease may result from injury, infection, genetics, or systemic issues. Understanding causes helps guide prevention and care.
Scratches, foreign bodies, or improper contact lens use can damage the outer corneal layer.
Bacteria, viruses, or fungi may invade after injury or poor hygiene, leading to inflammation and ulceration.
Insufficient or poor-quality tears leave the surface vulnerable to damage and discomfort.
Inherited dystrophies can cause predictable changes in both eyes over time.
Excessive ultraviolet light, wind, or dust may irritate or scar the cornea.
Autoimmune and other whole-body diseases can disrupt corneal health and healing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to questions patients often ask about corneal health and treatment.
The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped front window of the eye. It focuses most incoming light onto the retina and acts as a protective barrier against dust, germs, and injury. Its five specialized layers work together to keep vision sharp and the eye healthy.
Blurred or hazy vision, eye pain, a gritty sensation, light sensitivity, excessive tearing, and redness are frequent warning signs. Sudden or worsening symptoms should prompt a comprehensive eye examination.
Abrasions often heal quickly with proper care that includes antibiotic drops to prevent infection and lubricating drops for comfort. Larger scratches may require a protective bandage contact lens and close follow-up until the surface is fully healed.
Yes. Full-thickness penetrating keratoplasty replaces the entire cornea, while partial-thickness procedures such as DMEK, DSEK, and DALK replace only diseased layers. The choice depends on which layers are affected and overall eye health.
Follow strict contact lens hygiene, wear protective eyewear during risky activities, and keep up with routine eye exams so early changes can be treated promptly.
Your Partners in Corneal Health
Clear, comfortable vision is possible, and our team is ready to guide you on that journey. With advanced diagnostics, personalized care, and compassionate support, we are here to help you see your best every day.
excellent surgeon . very satisfied with cornea transplant.
Greg
Patient at Westwood Ophthalmology for almost 10 years. Dr. Pagan is my ophthalmologist, she is wonderful. I saw Dr. Lee recently for cornea surgery and follow-up. He is competent and caring.
Beth Cruz
They did a very thorough analysis and found I had a scratched cornea. This will be my new go to for optometry.
Paula Clark
Dr. Lee and staff at Westwood Ophthalmology are by far the best and most compassionate medical professionals I've ever worked with! I cannot recommend them enough.
Milissa Plescia
All staff was friendly. I was checked in quickly. Dr. Fleischer explained condition of my eyes and reassured me it is normal aging. I highly recommend him.
Donna Dawson Dawson