Patient Services
Special Procedures
Reconstructive Procedures:
A large part of any cornea and external disease practice involves reconstructive surgery of the cornea and anterior portion of the eye. Corneal transplantation is by far the most frequently performed surgery in this type of subspecialty practice and is discussed in greater detail in the two sections preceding this.
Corneal perforations due to infected ulcers, rheumatoid arthritis or trauma are commonplace in a practice specializing in corneal and external diseases and require the use of special adhesives, therapeutic contact lenses and even patch grafting.
Patients sustaining trauma - either penetrating or non-penetrating in nature - frequently find their way to a cornea specialist. We are often asked to assist in the initial repair of an acute injury or may be called to coordinate reconstructive efforts after the acute period is over.
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Dislocated intraocular lenses, and other post-cataract surgical problems are often referred for repair or reconstruction. Special techniques and instrumentation for repairing these problems fall in the realm of the cornea specialist.
Phototherapeutic keratectomy (PRK) with the excimer laser allows the surgeon to remove diseased tissue in a controlled manner, one tissue layer at a time, just as if one was peeling an onion. This approach often results in a smoother corneal surface and less post-operative scarring and irregularity.
Management of corneal and conjunctival tumors often involves the surgical removal of the lesion followed by cryotherapy (freezing treatment) and/or surface reconstruction using flaps of conjunctiva or corneo-scleral donor tissue.
In many situations reconstruction is coordinated with the retinal and ocular plastics surgeons. This team approach is very beneficial to the patient, allowing sub-specialists, viewing the problems from differing angles, to establish a treatment plan that is more global in character.