What is cornea surgery?
Your cornea is the clear surface of your eye that light must pass through to maintain optimal vision. If your cornea gets damaged, you might experience eye pain, cloudy vision, or blurry vision. If other treatments haven’t worked, your Chicago Glaucoma Consultants - CGC Eye Center specialist might recommend you undergo cornea surgery to correct the problem.
Why might I need cornea surgery?
You might be a good candidate for cornea surgery because of eye damage that results from:
- Infections
- Scarring
- Swelling
- Traumatic injuries
- Inflammation
- Previous eye surgery
Your eye doctor reviews your medical history, completes a comprehensive eye exam, and might use eye imaging procedures to diagnose your condition and develop a treatment plan.
How should I prepare for cornea surgery?
Follow your eye surgeon’s instructions prior to undergoing cornea surgery. You might have to stop taking certain medications prior to the procedure to reduce your risk of bleeding. Arrange for someone to drive you home after surgery.
Just before cornea surgery, your provider numbs the treatment area and offers you sedation to help you relax and avoid any discomfort.
What are the different types of cornea surgery?
Depending on the type and severity of cornea damage you experience, your eye doctor might recommend one of the following types of cornea surgery:
Cornea transplant
During a cornea transplant, your eye doctor replaces the damaged part of your cornea with healthy, donated cornea tissue from a deceased donor.
Pterygium surgery
Pterygium surgery is a minimally invasive procedure in which your eye doctor removes noncancerous conjunctival growths (pterygia) to improve your vision.
Cornea implant surgery
Your eye surgeon can place plastic cornea implants within your eye to support a thinning cornea and improve mild to moderate vision problems.
Superficial keratectomy
During superficial keratectomy, your eye doctor removes damaged tissue, allowing your cornea to regenerate healthy cells on its own.
What happens after cornea surgery?
After cornea surgery, you can usually go home the same day, but you must have a friend or family member drive you. Follow all post-surgery instructions and get plenty of rest.
Use all medications, including eye drops or ointments, as instructed by your eye doctor. Wear an eye patch if they recommend it, don’t rub your eyes, and attend all follow-up appointments.
If you experience eye pain or vision changes, call Chicago Glaucoma Consultants - CGC Eye Center or book an appointment online today.
