Corneal and External Disease

Treating diseases of the cornea and eyelid

What is the cornea?

The cornea is the transparent, dome-shaped window covering the front of the eye.

The cornea refracts light and helps the eye to focus. It is responsible for roughly 65 percent to 75 percent of the eye's focusing power.

What are corneal and external diseases?

Corneal and external diseases involve the cornea and sometimes the eyelids. Most conditions affecting the cornea can be treated, especially when detected early.

Common cornea and eye surface conditions we treat include:

• Dry eye
• Fuchs dystrophy
• Keratoconus
• Pterygium
• Blepharitis

What is the cornea?

The cornea is the transparent top layer of the eye.

What is corneal blindness?

Light cannot reach the retina through a cloudy cornea. This may result in poor vision or blindness.

What is a corneal transplant?

A corneal transplant is the replacement of a scarred or diseased cornea. A surgeon will replace the unhealthy cornea with a clear donor cornea.

Is the whole eye transplanted?

No, only the cornea is transplanted.

Do many people have a corneal transplantation?

Many people undergo corneal transplantation each year. Over 46,000 cornea transplants were performed in 2011 alone.

How successful is corneal transplantation?

Corneal transplantation is a relatively safe procedure. Over 95 percent of transplants are successful and restore patients' vision.