Corneal Services

Ophthalmologists offer multiple corneal services to treat diseases affecting the surface that covers the front of the eye. Your doctor will determine the best treatment plan to address your corneal condition or disease by performing multiple tests and assessments. These may range from minimally-invasive treatments to surgical procedures.

Your cornea, a clear, dome-shaped surface located in the front of the eye, can be affected by various eye diseases, like dry eye syndrome, ulcers, or keratoconus.

Corneal services aim to preserve and restore the health and function of your cornea, which is essential for clear vision.

At EyesNY, we offer different treatment options to preserve and restore the health and function of your cornea to improve your vision. Our experienced team of specialists offers caring and custom eye care for you.

Types of Corneal Diseases

Diseases and conditions that affect the tissue that covers the front of your eye include the following:

Dry Eye Syndrome

Dry eye syndrome is when the eyes do not produce enough tears or when the tears evaporate too quickly, leading to a lack of moisture in the eye. This condition is often characterized by symptoms like a sandy feeling in the eyes, stinging, redness, blurred vision, light sensitivity, and eye fatigue.

Corneal Infections

Bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites can cause corneal infections. Such infections can occur due to trauma, contact lens wear, or other factors.

Infections are often characterized by eye pain, redness, sensitivity to light, blurred vision, and eye discharge.

Corneal Ulcers

When a corneal infection intensifies, it develops into an ulcer that involves the loss of the cornea's outer layer. Symptoms can include eye pain, redness, sensitivity to light, blurred vision, eye discharge, and a white or gray spot on the cornea.

Keratoconus

Keratoconus is a progressive eye condition that affects the shape of the cornea, causing it to get thinner and gradually bulge outward into a cone shape. This results in distorted and blurred vision, increased sensitivity to light, and difficulty seeing at night.

Corneal Disease Symptoms

Corneal disease symptoms may include:

Eye pain
Redness
Blurred or distorted vision
Sensitivity to light
Excessive tearing
Reduced vision clarity
Eye discharge
Swelling around the eye

Corneal Disease Causes

Corneal disease causes may include the following:

Bacterial, viral, fungal, or parasitic infections
Environmental factors, such as dry or dusty weather
Physical trauma to the eye
Improper use, cleaning, or storage of contact lenses

Corneal Diseases Risk Factors

The following factors can increase the probability of developing corneal issues:

Aging
Genetics
Autoimmune diseases or medical conditions
Having a previous eye surgery

Corneal Disease Diagnosis

Our specialists might ask about your medical or family history of eye diseases during your eye exam. Knowing about your lifestyle and family can help with corneal disease diagnosis.

Your ophthalmologist may perform multiple painless and quick tests, including:

Based on the results, your eye doctor will be able to make a diagnosis and determine the appropriate treatment plan for your specific case.

Corneal Diseases Treatment

To stop or slow disease progression, your doctor may follow one or more of the following options:

Corneal Transplant Surgery
This surgical procedure replaces a damaged or diseased cornea with a healthy donor cornea.
Keratoconus Treatment
Treatment options for keratoconus include
1. Contact lenses
2. Corneal cross-linking, which involves applying a solution to the cornea and exposing it to UV light
3. Surgical procedures
Corneal Ulcer and Infection Treatment
Treatment for corneal ulcers and infections includes antibiotics, pain relievers, and surgery (in severe cases).
Dry Eye Treatment
Treatment for dry eye syndrome includes prescription eye drops, medication, vitamin supplements, or over-the-counter artificial tear drops.

Eye Surgery Recovery

Depending on the severity of your case, you may need surgical treatment to stop corneal diseases from progressing. Recovery time and side effects depend on

your unique health conditions and the specific surgical procedure required.

Since the treatments are minimally-invasive, most patients can return to regular activities within a few days after surgery. However, full recovery can take up to six weeks.

Access High-Quality Corneal Services in New York

EyesNY offers multiple treatment options to help patients slow or stop the progression of corneal diseases. Our specialized team of ophthalmologists is ready to assess your needs and give you the high-quality vision care you deserve.

We work with cutting-edge technology to identify the root cause of your condition and create personalized treatment plans. Our caring staff is ready to welcome you and meet your ocular health and vision needs. We offer comprehensive eye care services, including corneal services.

If you’d like a consultation or more information, contact us or request an appointment online. You can also visit any of our clinic locations around New York, including Malta, Clifton Park, Troy, Saratoga Springs, and Queensbury.