What is the Cornea?

The cornea is the transparent layer at the front of the eye. It acts like a window, allowing light to enter, and is responsible for most of the eye’s focusing power. For clear vision, the cornea must be transparent and have a perfect curvature.

Corneal pathologies affect the transparency, shape, or health of this structure, compromising vision.

Pathologies and Our Specialized Treatments

We treat a wide range of corneal conditions, from infections to degenerative diseases.

1. Keratoconus

Description: This is a progressive disease where the cornea thins and develops a conical and irregular shape, causing blurred and distorted vision.

Treatments:

Corneal Cross-linking (CXL): A procedure that uses vitamin B2 (riboflavin) eye drops and ultraviolet light to strengthen the collagen fibers of the cornea and halt the progression of thinning. Intracorneal Rings (ICRS): Small acrylic segments inserted into the cornea to flatten and regularize its curvature, improving vision.
Corneal Transplant: In more advanced cases where previous treatments are no longer effective, we choose to perform a corneal transplant, preferably a deep anterior lamellar (DALK) transplant, to restore a more suitable corneal curvature.

2. Corneal Ulcers and Infections

Description: Open lesions on the cornea, often caused by improper contact lens use, trauma, or bacterial, viral, or fungal infections. They require urgent treatment.

Treatments: Intensive therapy with specific antibiotics, antivirals, or antifungals, administered as eye drops. In severe cases, a transplant may be required.

3. Corneal Dystrophies (e.g., Fuchs’ Dystrophy)

Description: Genetic diseases that cause the gradual loss of corneal transparency due to cell failure in its inner layer (endothelium). This leads to swelling and blurred vision, especially in the mornings.

Treatments: Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK/DSAEK): Advanced forms of corneal transplantation that replace only the diseased layer (endothelium), resulting in faster visual recovery and less risk of rejection than a full transplant.

4. Corneal Transplant (Keratoplasty)

Description: Replacement of a diseased or damaged cornea with a donor cornea.

Types:

Penetrating Keratoplasty (PK): Replacement of all layers of the cornea (full transplant).

Lamellar Keratoplasty (DALK/DMEK/DSAEK): Replacement of only the affected layers, preserving the patient’s healthy parts.

Who is a good candidate?

Any patient experiencing vision loss that is not corrected with glasses, persistent eye pain, chronic redness, or a diagnosis of progressive corneal disease should be evaluated by our cornea specialist. Suitability for a transplant or a specific procedure is determined through detailed corneal mapping (topography, pachymetry, endothelial cell count, etc.).

What to expect during the process?

Advanced Diagnosis: We will use technology such as specular microscopy, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and corneal topography to evaluate the shape and health of the cornea.

Procedures: Many treatments, such as cross-linking or intrastromal ring implantation, are outpatient procedures. Corneal transplants are performed under local or general anesthesia and may be outpatient procedures or require a short hospital stay.

Recovery: Vision recovery varies widely. Lamellar procedures (DMEK/DSAEK) offer faster visual recovery (weeks), while a full-thickness transplant (PK) can take many months to achieve final vision. Strict use of eye drops and follow-up appointments are essential.