Corneal Disease and Treatment

The cornea is the clear front window of the eye. It transmits light to the interior of the eye allowing us to see clearly. Corneal disease can be a serious condition that can cause clouding, distortion, and even blindness. There are many types of corneal disease. Three common causes of corneal disease are keratoconus, Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy, and scarring from injury or infection.

As with any serious eye infection, corneal disease should be treated immediately. While a corneal transplant can sometimes be a necessary treatment to restore vision when the cornea becomes clouded, there are other measures that can be taken to prolong vision in the early stages of disease. An estimated 20,000 corneal transplants are performed each year in the United States. Today, partial thickness transplants, DSEK or DMEK, have become the most common type performed, and can even be performed at the time of cataract surgery.