Cornea Disease, Treatment and Surgery Minneapolis

A thorough eye exam is essential to detect any current or potential eye disease, including conditions of the cornea. Dr. Chu is highly qualified and experienced in diagnosing and treating sight impairments related to a range of corneal issues, including keratoconus and corneal scarring for patients in Minneapolis and the Twin Cities area.

Sydney Cornea Surgery Minneapolis

SYDNEY • CORNEA PATIENT

Wow! At ninety years old, I got my eyesight back. After years of slowly progressing into the shadow of darkness, a miracle happened. I met Dr. Chu who said I was a candidate for a corneal transplant. Now I am reading the newspaper and watching TV without the help of 250 cheaters or a number 4 magnifier.

Schedule your life-changing experience now!

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Why Chu Vision for Your Cornea Treatment?

  • Dr. Chu has decades of cornea treatment experience
  • Both keratoconus and corneal scarring are treated
  • The FDA has chosen Chu Vision to conduct over 100 clinical trials
  • Dr. Chu has been featured on local and national TV interviews as an expert in ophthalmology
  • Chu Vision is on the leading edge of corneal surgery procedures

ABOUT YOUR CORNEA

The cornea is the transparent, dome-shaped structure that covers the front of the eye. A healthy cornea is clear and naturally curved in appearance. The rounded design of the cornea allows it to refract light into the retina so your eye can focus on both near and far away objects. If the cornea becomes swollen or misshapen due to injury or disease, light can be distorted or blocked. This can cause overall impairments to your sight.

At Chu Vision Institute, we want our patients to maintain their best possible eyesight so we advise everyone to have a comprehensive eye exam at least every other year. Routine vision exams are imperative to your total eye health, as we check for many conditions and impairments, including corneal irregularities. If corneal disease is detected during your eye exam, we offer numerous treatment options to limit further vision loss. Contact our team in Minneapolis, MN today to schedule your exam so you can keep your ocular health in optimal condition.

SHOULD I HAVE AN EYE EXAM?

If you have observed changes in your vision, we recommend visiting our Bloomington, MN office for a comprehensive eye exam. Conditions of the cornea can only be assessed and treated by a qualified professional, such as board-certified ophthalmologist Dr. Ralph Chu. He is highly experienced in addressing many corneal conditions that can cause vision loss, such as keratoconus, Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy, and bullous keratopathy. Our caring team understands that all corneal conditions are unique based on each patient so we will work to find the best treatment for you.

CORNEAL DISEASE DIAGNOSIS

After you have arrived for your scheduled exam at Chu Vision Institute, one of our highly experienced optometrists will examine your eyes to search for signs of corneal disease, such as irregular eye shape, cloudy spots, and rough patches. We will also review your medical records, family history, and any current medications or previous surgeries. In addition, our team will perform a series of diagnostic tests to uncover any potential eye problems. At our state-of-the-art facility, we utilize some of the top technologies available in the industry. Corneal disease is primarily genetically inherited, but injury or excessive eye rubbing can also be contributing factors. People with corneal disease typically experience blurred or distorted vision, eye swelling, irritation, glare, and sensitivity to light.

HOW DO YOU TREAT CORNEAL DISEASE?

At Chu Vision Institute, our team offers an array of both surgical and nonsurgical treatments to address corneal conditions and enhance your vision and eye health. To address a damaged or unhealthy cornea, we offer several treatments:

At your initial consult, Dr. Chu will determine which option is ideal for your situation and design a customized treatment plan to improve and protect your eyesight. If the best treatment option is not provided at our clinic, we will refer you to another location for care.

SCHEDULE YOUR VISIT

A thorough eye exam is essential to detect any current or potential eye disease, including conditions of the cornea. Dr. Chu is highly qualified and experienced in diagnosing and treating sight impairments related to a range of corneal issues, including keratoconus and corneal scarring. If you have noticed changes in your eyesight, contact us in Bloomington, MN to schedule a consultation. We look forward to helping you get on the path to better vision.

THOMAS • CORNEA PATIENT

Dr. Chu and his team at Chu Vision Institute were phenomenal throughout the entire process. Every person I spoke to knew my name, and every person I encountered was kind.

  • Read more patient transformation stories

Schedule your life-changing experience now!

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Common Questions Cornea Diseases, Treatments, and Surgeries

What are common corneal diseases?

The variety of illnesses that damage the cornea, the transparent outer layer of the eye, are collectively referred to as corneal diseases. After an injury or illness, the cornea can frequently heal by itself; but, more severe conditions—infections, degenerative illnesses, and deterioration will need to be treated.

As a result of bacteria or fungus getting within the cornea, keratitis, an inflammation of the cornea, can occasionally develop along with an infection. These germs can enter the eye through a deep wound and cause corneal ulcers, inflammation, and infection. This kind of infection can also develop as a result of a contact lens-related injury, albeit it is rare.

Ocular herpes is a viral eye infection that can reoccur.  The herpes simplex virus I is the primary cause of ocular herpes (HSV I). Ocular herpes causes ulcers on the cornea’s surface that may scar and impair eyesight. The cornea and eye can become more deeply inflamed. Ocular herpes has no known treatment, however antiviral medications can frequently control it.

In patients who have already experienced chickenpox, the herpes zoster virus can resurface, causing shingles. The chickenpox virus typically remains dormant in the body’s nerves after the onset. Later, it may move down these nerves and infect certain organs, such as the eye. Blisters or lesions on the eye, fever, and discomfort from damaged nerve fibers are all possible symptoms of herpes zoster. Corneal lesions often heal on their own, but antiviral medication may accelerate the process.

What causes cornea disease?

Corneal diseases can be caused by a number of things. Some diseases develop because of bacterial, fungal or viral infections. In other cases age may be the cause. Cataract and intraocular lens implant surgery can also cause patients to develop bullous keratopathy in rare instances. Other factors that lead to the development of corneal diseases include heredity, contact lenses, eye trauma, certain eye diseases and systemic diseases

Can cornea damage be repaired?

With the use of corrective lenses, over-the-counter eye drops, or prescription medications, many corneal problems can be effectively addressed. Some patients require additional therapies, such as phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK). PTK reshapes the cornea, removes scar tissue, and restores eyesight clarity with cutting-edge laser technology. This may be required if corneal dystrophy has advanced to the point of considerable vision loss or if a corneal injury or infection has left behind permanent scarring that seriously compromises vision.

A cornea transplant is another possibility for treatment if your cornea can’t be repaired with other options. 

What are the signs of corneal disease?

The cornea typically heals following the majority of injuries or diseases due to its capacity for fast restoration. However, if the cornea is severely damaged, the healing process may take longer, which could lead to a number of symptoms, such as:

  • Pain
  • Distorted vision
  • Tearing
  • Redness
  • Extreme light sensitivity
  • Scarring on the cornea

Make an appointment with an ophthalmologist if you encounter any of these signs. They can identify a more serious issue or a condition that needs specialized care.

How common is corneal disease?

There are several types of corneal disases that are common. Corneal transplants are the most common type of transplant surgery and while some types of corneal diseases are rare others such as Fuchs’ dystrophy, keratoconus, map-dot-fingerprint dystrophy, and lattice dystrophy are the most common.

Can you go blind if your cornea is damaged?

Your vision and eye health are greatly affected by your corneas. Because of this, severe corneal injury and advanced corneal disease can cause vision loss and even blindness. However, there are medications, individualized laser treatments, and corneal transplants available. New stem cell treatments are also being researched. These treatments can help stop vision loss before it worsens or prevent it from becoming a major issue. 

Can laser surgery fix corneal scarring?

Many people who develop corneal scarring for any reason may be informed that there is no cure. However, more recent laser procedures known as “phototherapeutic keratectomy” (PTK) can smooth out the cornea’s distorted structure while also removing opacities. The advanced LASIK procedures use the same excimer laser technology as this one. Based on the location and degree of the damage produced by the scarring, advanced diagnostic imaging will assist in creating the specific therapy profile for each scar.

PTK is designed with the goal of reducing your need for glasses or contact lenses. For individuals who have developed corneal scarring due to problems with their contacts, this is fantastic news. In order to completely eliminate the requirement for contact lenses, the other healthy eye will typically be treated concurrently with LASIK.