Cornea Repair in Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Hazelton, and Surrounding Areas in Lackawanna, Luzerne and Other Counties
Cornea Service - The cornea is the front window of the eye that covers the colored portion of the eye, much like a watch crystal covers the face of a watch.
Corneal Disorders
Due to its exposure to light and the environment, corneal disorders are not uncommon. For example, a corneal abrasion is an injury to the epithelium which is a thin membrane on the surface of the cornea. A corneal abrasion can be caused by contact lenses, fingernails, paper cuts, rubbing, or other objects. Abrasions can be treated with antibiotics or ointments.
Another problem is called Conjunctivitis, which is the inflammation of the conjunctiva, a thin, filmy membrane that covers the white of the eye (sclera). When the conjunctiva becomes irritated or inflamed, the blood vessels that supply it become enlarged and more prominent, causing the eye to turn red. Conjunctiva is caused by infections, allergies, and/or environmental irritants.
Keratoconus is a condition wherein the cornea is thin, cone-shaped, and abnormally steepened. This is an uncommon condition that causes the cornea to protrude and may result in serious distortion of vision. Keratoconus is generally caused by an excess of enzymes that break down proteins on the corneal surface. Severity of the disease varies from individual to individual and can be progressive up to a certain age. Rigid contact lenses can make a difference; however, in extreme cases, a corneal transplant may be required. People with keratoconus generally do not make good candidates for LASIK due to the irregular shape of their corneas.
Corneal edema or swelling generally occurs due to occasional degeneration following cataract surgery.
Some disorders of the cornea are inherited and can lead to corneal clouding or loss of sight. In these cases, a corneal transplant (keratoplasty) may be required. Each year, over 20,000 corneal transplants are performed successfully in the United States alone.
Corneal transplants are performed using corneal donor tissue from someone who has just died and was a voluntary donor. The surgical procedure consists of a transfer of the clear, central part of the cornea from the donor’s eye to the patient’s eye. Soon after the procedure, the patient can walk and resume most activities. Complete visual rehabilitation may take up to a year.
Other corneal disorders occur due to the aging process or environmental and hereditary factors.
The Cornea Service at NEI
The Cornea Service at NEI provides medical and surgical services to patients who have the aforementioned disorders of the cornea, as well as other corneal disorders.
The Cornea Service at NEI was established in 1988 and was the first such dedicated practice in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
One of the premises behind this service was to offer services, as well as diagnostic and surgical procedures closer to home that were historically available only at university-based centers.
The Corneal Service at NEI has performed over a thousand corneal transplants since inception.
Various research projects have been conducted by the Cornea Service at NEI including FDA studies, Keratoconus studies, dry eye studies, laser related research projects, and studies sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).NEI Corneal Specialists
The Cornea Service is now staffed by Thomas Boland, MD, David DeRose, MD, and Christopher S. Jordan, M.D.
Contact Northeastern Eye Institute today to schedule an appointment
with one of our corneal specialists.
Call toll-free (800) 334-2233 or (570) 342-3145
