Corneal Surgery

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The cornea is the clear covering on the front of the eye which bends, or refracts, light rays that focus on the retina in the back of the eye. A certain shape or curvature is required in order for light to focus exactly on the retina, rather than in front of it or behind it.

An improperly curved cornea may be corrected surgically or non-invasively to reduce or eliminate the need for eyeglasses or contact lenses. A thorough eye examination and consultation are necessary before a treatment decision can be made. Common problems that affect the health of the cornea are:

  • Dry Eyes
  • Blepharitis
  • Recurrent Erosion
  • Corneal Ulceration
  • Herpes Simplex Keratopathy
  • Pseudophakic Corneal Decompensation
  • Keratoconus
  • Corneal Dystrophies
  • Pterygia
  • External tumors
  • Eye infections
  • Traumatic injury
  • Ocular surface diseases
  • Chemical burn

Corneal transplantation, or keratoplasty, is recommended when the cornea’s curvature is too steep or too flat to be treated with other methods, or when extensive damage has occurred due to disease, infection or injury. Transplantation involves replacing the damaged cornea with a healthy one from a donor (usually through an eye bank). Keratoplasty is the most common type of transplant surgery and has the highest success rate.

The Corneal Surgery Procedure

During the procedure, a circular incision is made in the cornea. A disc of tissue is removed and replaced with healthy tissue; these discs may be thin (lamellar keratoplasty) or as deep as the entire cornea (penetrating keratoplasty). Local or general anesthesia may be used.


Schedule a Corneal Surgery Consultation Today!

To learn more about Corneal Surgery, or to determine whether you are a candidate for the procedure, please book a personalized appointment with one of our skilled Ophthalmologists. Call 360-696-4691 for out Main Street office, 360-823-2020 for our Columbia Tech Center, or 360-823-2000 for our Salmon Creek office. You can also click here to send us a Consultation Request Form, and out talented staff will get back to you at the earliest! We look forward to serving you.

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