" Our expertly trained staff has the knowledge and experience to diagnose and treat common corneal diseases and disorders."

CORNEAL SERVICES

Every day patients come to the Florida Eye Specialists and Cataract Institute for help with all types of conditions related to the cornea and ocular surface, including Keratoconus, Corneal Dystrophy, Infectious Keratitis, as well as inflammatory and allergic conditions. We offer comprehensive consultation, the latest diagnostic capabilities and treatment for diseases of the cornea and external ocular surface.

The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped front part of the eye – a thin, clear, spherical layer of tissue on the surface of the eye that provides a window for light to pass through. It provides most of the eye’s optical power. In a healthy eye, the cornea bends or refracts light rays so they focus precisely on the retina in the back of the eye. Your cornea must remain clear, smooth and healthy for good vision. If it is scarred, swollen, or damaged, light is not focused properly into the eye and your vision will develop a glare or become blurred. Corneal eye disease is the fourth most common cause of blindness after cataracts, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration.

Corneal Symptoms:

  • Reduced vision
  • Eye swelling
  • Increased eye pressure
  • Cloudy vision

Keratoconus Treatment

Corneal Cross-Linking

Appointment Request

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). Common diseases and disorders that affect the cornea include:

With a comprehensive eye exam, our highly-trained and skilled doctors can detect signs of corneal infection, inflammation, scarring, and other problems associated with the front structure of the eye using the latest instruments and advanced diagnostic technology. They have been specially trained in all conditions and treatment related to the cornea and ocular surface.

CORNEAL COLLAGEN CROSS-LINKING

Cross-Linking is a surgical treatment that combines the use of UV light and riboflavin (vitamin B2) drops. This procedure is designed to strengthen the collagen fibers in the cornea for patients with Keratoconus and other Corneal Ectasias. (Read More)

CORNEA TRANSPLANTS

A cornea transplant replaces diseased or scarred corneal tissue with healthy tissue from an organ donor. A graft replaces central corneal tissue (damaged due to disease or eye injury) with healthy corneal tissue donated from a local eye bank. Corneal transplants we perform:

Penetrating keratoplasty (PK)

Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK)

Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK)

Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK)

ARTIFICIAL CORNEA (KERATOPROSTHESIS)

This procedure is often recommended after a standard corneal transplant has failed or when such a transplant would be unlikely to succeed. Thus keratoprosthesis implantation is a procedure designed to help patients whose conditions are the most difficult to treat. Artificial cornea is an option for transplant patients who cannot tolerate a human donor cornea.

REFRACTIVE SURGERY

LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) – Laser vision correction or refractive surgery for the correction of myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism.

PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) – A great alternative to LASIK. Often recommended for patients with high-impact activities, naturally thinner corneas, or greater amount of nearsightedness.

RLE (Refractive Lens Exchange) – This outpatient procedure replaces the clear, natural lens of the eye with an artificial IOL (Intraocular Lens) to correct your refractive error.

Visian ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) – A type of refractive procedure that uses a removable lens implant to correct your vision. It can create options for a wider range of prescriptions.

Cornea Specialists

Priya Mathews

Priya Mathews

M.D., M.P.H.

Ana Maria Oliva

M.D.