What Is Corneal Surgery?
The cornea is the clear, outermost part that acts as a shield for your eye, protecting it from debris, dust, bacteria, and even ultraviolet (UV) light. It's also the part of your eye that refracts and focuses incoming light, allowing the lens and retina to translate that light into the images you see. Because the cornea works to protect the eye, it is prone to a variety of disorders, including keratitis (inflammation), dry eye, pterygium (scar tissue that attaches to the cornea), and a group of conditions referred to as corneal dystrophies. If you're suffering from any of these ocular problems, Pennsylvania Surgery and Laser Center can help with corneal surgery. Whether you need a transplant, DSEK (Descemet's stripping endothelial keratoplasty), or pterygium removal, our ophthalmologists have the experience and skill to restore the health and function of your eyes. If your eyes constantly feel irritated, or if you've noticed that your vision seems to be deteriorating, we urge you to schedule a consultation at our Philadelphia, PA facility to learn more about your condition and options for treatment.
How Does Corneal Surgery Work?
The details of your corneal surgery will depend on the nature of your condition and which procedure our team recommends. We specialize in several types of corneal surgery at Pennsylvania Surgery and Laser Center, including:
- Pterygium removal: Our team will start by sedating you and numbing the eye. The scar tissue will be cut away and removed from the eye. A small graft will be removed from another part of the eye and placed over the treatment area to help it heal.
- Corneal transplant: After applying numbing drops and placing a device to hold your eye open, our ophthalmologists will create an opening and remove the infected or damaged part of the cornea. This tissue will be replaced with a healthy cornea taken from a donor and gently sutured into position. When they're finished, they'll tape a protective covering over the eye to shield it while you heal.
- DSEK: This procedure focuses on the innermost part of the corner (Descemet's membrane). After numbing your eye, we'll use a special device to peel away this membrane, replacing it with donor material.
What Are the Benefits of Corneal Surgery?
Beyond improving your eyesight, corneal surgery can provide a number of benefits for our patients in Philadelphia, PA and around the state, such as:
- Relieves pain or pressure on the eye
- Removes damaged or infected tissues
- Can prevent further complications caused by corneal changes
- Allows our team to address other eye issues, such as cataracts
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Everything was good, and everyone are kind of useful and knowledgeable . My surgeons are wonderful, kindly fully knowledgeable , Dra, Chadhaury!She's an angel.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long will it take for my vision to improve after corneal surgery?
Healing from corneal surgery is a gradual journey, and you'll likely notice improvements step-by-step rather than overnight. Some patients start to see changes within a few weeks, while for others it might take several months to reach their best vision. Patience is key because your eye needs time to adjust and heal properly. Our eye care team will guide you through every phase so you know what's normal.
Will I need glasses or contacts after surgery?
It really depends on your specific situation and the type of corneal issue you had before surgery. Some people find they still need glasses or contacts afterward, but usually with a much lighter prescription. In some cases, vision can improve enough that you only need corrective lenses for specific tasks like reading or night driving. Your doctor will work with you after healing to fine-tune any additional vision needs.
Can I drive after my corneal surgery?
You definitely won't be driving right after surgery, but the good news is you'll likely be able to return to driving once your vision meets legal requirements. This usually happens a few weeks after surgery, but it really depends on how quickly your healing progresses. Our surgical team will give you the green light when it's safe. Until then, it's a good idea to have friends or family lined up to help you get around.
Protect Your Sight
The cornea plays a significant role in your ocular health so it's important to address any problems as early as possible to preserve your vision. At Pennsylvania Surgery and Laser Center, our ophthalmologists have extensive experience in various types of corneal surgery. Reach out to our Philadelphia, PA facility to schedule a consultation, and learn more about how corneal surgery can help you see clearly once again.