Shepherd Eye Center
Cornea Care in Las Vegas & Henderson
The cornea is the eye’s clear outer window, and when it’s damaged by disease, injury, or infection, it can distort or cloud your vision. Our corneal specialist diagnoses and treats conditions including keratoconus, Fuchs’ dystrophy, corneal infections, and dry eye.
- Diagnosis and care for keratoconus, Fuchs' dystrophy, corneal infection, and dry eye
- Treatment options ranging from corneal cross-linking to corneal transplant surgery
- Care from our corneal specialist
Symptoms
Signs of a Corneal Problem
Corneal conditions can affect your vision in different ways, depending on the underlying cause.
Distorted or Ghosted Vision
Seeing halos, starbursts, or doubled images can be an early sign of keratoconus.
Morning Blurriness
Blurry vision that sharpens as the day goes on can point to Fuchs' dystrophy.
Pain, Redness, or Discharge
These can signal a corneal infection, especially in contact lens wearers.
Glare or Cloudy Vision
Scarring or swelling can scatter light passing through the cornea, causing blur or glare.
Why a Proper Diagnosis Matters: Many corneal conditions, including dry eye, share overlapping symptoms but require very different treatments. A comprehensive exam can identify exactly which condition is affecting your vision and guide you toward the right treatment path.
About the Cornea
What Is the Cornea?
The cornea is the clear, outermost layer of the eye, acting much like a window into its interior. Its main job is to let light pass through to the lens and retina, while also protecting the eye from dust, germs, and other harmful substances, and helping regulate focus alongside the lens.
The cornea is made up of five distinct layers: the epithelium (the outermost layer), Bowman’s layer (a transparent sheet of collagen), the stroma (which gives the cornea its strength and elasticity), Descemet’s membrane, and the endothelium, the innermost layer that keeps the cornea clear by regulating fluid.
When any of these layers is damaged by disease, injury, or infection, it can affect your vision. Common corneal conditions include keratoconus, Fuchs’ dystrophy, corneal infection, and dry eye.
Your Options
Choose the Right Treatment Path
Treatment depends on which corneal condition you have and how advanced it is.
Non-Surgical Treatment
Medical Management & Cross-Linking
- FDA-approved corneal cross-linking can halt the progression of keratoconus
- Prescription eye drops used to treat corneal infections
- Regular monitoring for mild Fuchs' dystrophy symptoms
- Can help patients avoid or delay the need for a transplant
Surgical Treatment
Corneal Transplant Surgery
- Recommended when vision can't be corrected with glasses or contacts, or when swelling can't be relieved with medication
- Used for advanced keratoconus, Fuchs' dystrophy, or scarring from infection or injury
- Performed as an outpatient procedure, most often under local anesthesia
- One of the most common and successful transplant surgeries performed today
Our doctors will recommend the least invasive option that can still protect your vision, reserving transplant surgery for cases that truly need it.
The Process
Your Cornea Care Journey
From diagnosis to long-term care, here's what to expect.
Diagnosis
- Comprehensive eye exam and visual acuity testing
- Corneal thickness and shape measurement
- Identification of the specific corneal condition affecting your vision
Non-Surgical Treatment
- Corneal cross-linking for progressive keratoconus, using UVA light and specialized eye drops
- Prescription drops for infections
- Ongoing monitoring for conditions like early Fuchs' dystrophy
Surgical Treatment, if Needed
- Your name placed on a donor cornea list at the local eye bank, if a transplant is needed
- Donor tissue tested for safety and checked for clarity before release
- Diseased or injured cornea removed and replaced with the donor cornea, performed as an outpatient procedure
Long-Term Care
- Stitches typically remain in place for about a year, though this varies by technique
- Regular follow-up to watch for signs of rejection
- Vision can continue to improve for up to a year after transplant surgery
Results
What to Expect From Treatment
Outcomes vary by condition, but modern treatments offer real options at every stage.
Halted Progression
Corneal cross-linking can stop keratoconus from advancing further, often after a single treatment.
Quick Outpatient Procedures
Both cross-linking and corneal transplant surgery are performed on an outpatient basis.
High Success Rate
Corneal transplants are among the most common and successful transplant surgeries performed today, with more than 40,000 done each year in the U.S.
Gradual Improvement
Vision can continue to improve for up to a year following a corneal transplant.
What to Expect After Treatment
- After cross-linking, mild discomfort, a foreign body sensation, and light sensitivity are common for a few days
- Avoid rubbing your eye for the first few days after cross-linking, and contact your doctor immediately for sudden vision changes or severe pain
- After a transplant, stitches are usually removed around the one-year mark, though this varies
- Watch for warning signs of rejection: persistent discomfort, light sensitivity, redness, or a change in vision, and contact your doctor promptly if they occur
Informed Care
Safety & Risk Considerations
Every corneal treatment comes with its own candidacy requirements and risk profile worth understanding.
Cross-Linking Candidacy
- Best suited for mild to moderate keratoconus, before significant vision loss occurs
- Not recommended for corneas with scarring from a previous injury
- Not recommended for patients with certain autoimmune diseases
- Requires a minimum corneal thickness of about 400 microns
- Not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or for active dry eye syndrome
Transplant Considerations
- Rejection occurs in an estimated 5% to 30% of transplants
- Most rejections can be stopped with minimal injury if treated promptly
- Repeat transplants carry a higher rejection rate than a first transplant
- Regular follow-up exams are essential to catch any complications early
Our Team
Meet Our Cornea Specialists
Our mission is to provide the highest quality eye care for you and your family, with an emphasis on personalized service.
Cornea
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the cornea do?
The cornea is the eye’s clear outer layer, letting light pass through to the lens and retina while protecting the eye from dust, germs, and other harmful substances. It also helps regulate focus alongside the eye’s lens.
What is keratoconus, and how is it treated?
Keratoconus is a degenerative condition where the cornea thins and bulges into a cone shape, distorting vision. Depending on severity, treatment can range from specialty contact lenses to corneal cross-linking, which can halt further progression, to a corneal transplant in advanced cases.
What is Fuchs' dystrophy?
Fuchs’ dystrophy is a degenerative condition affecting the cornea’s innermost layer. It’s more common in women and typically causes blurry vision in the morning that sharpens through the day. Severe cases may require a corneal transplant.
What causes a corneal infection?
Corneal infections often result from an eye injury or trauma, and contact lens wearers face added risk since the lens can cause slight damage that allows bacteria to enter. Good hand hygiene before handling contacts can help reduce that risk.
When is a corneal transplant needed?
A transplant may be needed when vision can’t be adequately corrected with glasses or contacts, or when a painfully swollen cornea can’t be relieved with medication or specialty lenses. Common causes include advanced keratoconus, Fuchs’ dystrophy, and scarring from injury or infection.
Can complications occur after a corneal transplant?
Rejection is the primary risk, occurring in an estimated 5% to 30% of cases. Warning signs include persistent discomfort, light sensitivity, redness, and changes in vision. Most rejections can be treated successfully if caught early.
Does corneal cross-linking cure keratoconus?
There’s currently no cure for keratoconus, but cross-linking has been shown to stop the condition from progressing further, which can help patients avoid or delay the need for a more invasive transplant down the road.
Ready to Get Started?
Schedule A Consultation
If you're ready to experience exceptional eye care, contact us today to schedule your evaluation at any of our Southern Nevada locations.