Cornea surgery when the window of your eye needs repair
Corneal transplants, including DSAEK, and pterygium surgery for clearer, more comfortable vision.
In short: when the cornea, the clear front window of your eye, is scarred, misshapen or failing, vision becomes blurry or glary. Our surgeons perform corneal transplants, including the faster-healing DSAEK procedure, and pterygium removal.
Reasons for cornea surgery
- Scarring from an injury or infection
- Keratoconus, which thins and reshapes the cornea
- An inherited condition that causes the cornea to swell and cloud
- A pterygium, a growth that spreads onto the cornea
What is happening inside your eye
The cornea is the clear dome at the front of the eye and does about two thirds of the focusing. It needs to stay clear and evenly curved. Scars, swelling or a cone-shaped bulge (keratoconus) scatter light and make vision blurry or glary.
Explore the eyeHow we treat it
Corneal transplant (PK)
Replaces the full thickness of a damaged cornea with screened donor tissue from a regional eye bank.
DSAEK
Replaces only the inner layer. A smaller incision, fewer stitches and faster visual recovery than a full transplant. About 20 to 30 minutes, as an outpatient.
Pterygium surgery
Removes the growth and places a small tissue graft to help keep it from coming back. About 30 to 45 minutes under light sedation.
Common questions
Where does the donor cornea come from?
From regional eye banks, where tissue is carefully screened and inspected before surgery.
How long until I see clearly after DSAEK?
Most people notice improvement within two weeks, and vision keeps improving for two to six months.
Will I need drops afterward?
Yes. Antibiotic drops at first, and anti-rejection drops for an extended time after a transplant.
What are signs of rejection?
Redness, light sensitivity, blurred vision or pain. Call us right away if you notice any of these.
Talk to a Lumen doctor
Book online or call, and we will match you with the right doctor and office.