Free LASIK Consultation: Call (855) 875-2020 9:00am–5:00pm

Cornea

About the Cornea

The cornea is the clear outer layer located at the front of the eye. It helps with focusing light that enters the eye so that you can see clearly. It also provides much of the focusing power of the eye. Most refractive errors, such as farsightedness, nearsightedness, and astigmatism are due to issues with the cornea.

Common Issues that can occur include:

To learn more about these issues, click the links above.

At Kung Eye Center, we offer the following corneal treatments:

Keratoconus

Keratoconus is a progressive eye disease that occurs on the cornea, the clear part on the front surface of your eye. Keratoconus causes the cornea to become gradually thinner, which can lead to the outward bulging of the cornea. This can cause a cone like appearance to occur within the cornea. The disease can cause vision to become extremely blurry and many patients complain of sensitivity to light.

Corneal Collagen Cross Linking

Corneal collagen cross-linking, or CXL for short, uses ultraviolet (UV) light and vitamin B2 (riboflavin) eye drops to strengthen the corneal tissue. This treatment is the first of its kind to have the ability to slow or halt the progression of keratoconus, and it also improves the vision in over 50% of the patients that are treated. In the past, patients with keratoconus would often have to have a full thickness corneal transplant. But now, corneal cross-linking may allow patients with this eye disease to live a normal life by slowing or stopping the progression of keratoconus.

Fuchs’ Dystrophy/Dsaek

Fuchs’ dystrophy is a disease of the cornea that affects the endothelium layer, which is the innermost layer of the cornea. The endothelium layer consists of a group of cells that help keep the cornea clear by pumping out excess fluid. When the cells undergo degenerative changes, they can diminish and fluid can start to build up. This condition causes the cornea to swell, become cloudy and cause a loss of clear vision.

In order to manage Fuchs’ dystrophy and to improve vision, corneal surgeons today can perform a partial corneal transplant called Descemet Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSAEK), which removes the damaged endothelial cells and replaces them with healthy donor cells to improve the clarity of the cornea.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cornea Surgery

Are there artificial corneas?

Yes. Artificial corneas can be implanted in certain situation such as chemical burns

Can you wear contact lenses after corneal transplant?

Yes it is possible to wear contact lenses after corneal transplant but you must let your doctor examine you to determine if you are a good candidate

Can a living person donate a cornea?

Corneal tissue can only be harvested from the deceased

Do corneal transplants last forever?

Because a corneal transplant is biological tissue, they sometimes can opacify and need to be re-transplanted

Can I wear glasses after corneal transplant?

Many patients do need to wear glasses after corneal transplant in order to see clearer

Does cornea transplant change eye color?

Your eye color generally will not change after corneal transplant surgery as your eye color is determined by your iris

Can you have a second corneal transplant?

Yes if the first corneal transplant fails, your surgeon may elect to perform a second transplant

How long after a corneal transplant can you fly?

Generally speaking most patients are stable enough to fly after several weeks of having the transplant but you need to discuss this with your surgeon

How long does it take to recover from a corneal transplant?

Corneal transplants have a wide range of recovery periods. Patients may take up to a year to heal

Is corneal transplant major surgery?

Corneal transplant is considered major eye surgery. Since the front of you eye will be exchanged with someone elses tissue

How many times can you have a corneal transplant?

Patients ,may need to be transplanted multiple times if the cornea fails or rejects. In principle, the chance of rejection increases with repeated transplants

What are the signs of corneal transplant rejection?

The eye may turn red, be painful or become cloudy as the cornea rejects

How serious is a cornea transplant?

Corneal transplants are major eye surgeries, exchanging the front part of your eye

What can I expect after a corneal transplant?

Your eye may be irritated, red or swollen immediately after surgery and will need medication and care to heal

How soon can I drive after a corneal transplant?

You will need to ask your surgeon about your specific case as some patients can drive quickly because the fellow eye sees very well

What can you not do after a corneal transplant?

Patients should rest and not exert themselves too strenuously. Like playing sports or lifting heavy objects

What happens if a corneal transplant is rejected?

The cornea becomes cloudy and the patients vision becomes extremely blurred

What is a partial corneal transplant?

There is now technology to transplant certain layers of the cornea, rather than the entire thickness of the cornea

Who needs corneal transplant?

Patients who have a scarred, cloudy or opacified cornea that will not become clear with medication or by itself

Frequently Asked Questions about Cornea Transplant Surgery

Are there artificial corneas?

Yes. Artificial corneas can be implanted in certain situation such as chemical burns

Can you wear contact lenses after corneal transplant?

Yes it is possible to wear contact lenses after corneal transplant but you must let your doctor examine you to determine if you are a good candidate

Can a living person donate a cornea?

Corneal tissue can only be harvested from the deceased

Do corneal transplants last forever?

Because a corneal transplant is biological tissue, they sometimes can opacify and need to be re-transplanted

Can I wear glasses after corneal transplant?

Many patients do need to wear glasses after corneal transplant in order to see clearer

Does cornea transplant change eye color?

Your eye color generally will not change after corneal transplant surgery as your eye color is determined by your iris

Can you have a second corneal transplant?

Yes if the first corneal transplant fails, your surgeon may elect to perform a second transplant

How long after a corneal transplant can you fly?

Generally speaking most patients are stable enough to fly after several weeks of having the transplant but you need to discuss this with your surgeon

How long does it take to recover from a corneal transplant?

Corneal transplants have a wide range of recovery periods. Patients may take up to a year to heal

Is corneal transplant major surgery?

Corneal transplant is considered major eye surgery. Since the front of you eye will be exchanged with someone elses tissue

How many times can you have a corneal transplant?

Patients ,may need to be transplanted multiple times if the cornea fails or rejects. In principle, the chance of rejection increases with repeated transplants

What are the signs of corneal transplant rejection?

The eye may turn red, be painful or become cloudy as the cornea rejects

How serious is a cornea transplant?

Corneal transplants are major eye surgeries, exchanging the front part of your eye

What can I expect after a corneal transplant?

Your eye may be irritated, red or swollen immediately after surgery and will need medication and care to heal

How soon can I drive after a corneal transplant?

You will need to ask your surgeon about your specific case as some patients can drive quickly because the fellow eye sees very well

What can you not do after a corneal transplant?

Patients should rest and not exert themselves too strenuously. Like playing sports or lifting heavy objects

What happens if a corneal transplant is rejected?

The cornea becomes cloudy and the patients vision becomes extremely blurred

What is a partial corneal transplant?

There is now technology to transplant certain layers of the cornea, rather than the entire thickness of the cornea

Who needs corneal transplant?

Patients who have a scarred, cloudy or opacified cornea that will not become clear with medication or by itself

Contact Us Today

If you are interested in learning more about our corneal treatments or would like to schedule an appointment with one of our eye care specialists, contact Kung Eye today! We will be happy to assist you in scheduling your appointment.

Testimonial Videos

Recent 5-Star
Reviews

READ MORE

Dr Kung is simply amazing. He takes care of his patients on a personal level and ensures they receive the best eye treatments possible by offering his patients the best technology and latest procedures available.

KUNG EYE CENTER IS THE BEST!!! From my first appointment, I experienced EXCELLENT customer service. Each and every employee goes above and beyond to provide an experience that makes a patient feel comfortable enough to stay and never want to leave.

Kung Eye Center in NJ gave me an excellent impression. The receptionists are friendly, and the office is spacious and clean. Above all, Dr. Yu, who examined me, is excellent and professional. He is very knowledgeable. After examining my eyes thoroughly, he patiently answered all my questions. I’m glad they’re here for all our optical needs. From now on, I’ll go to them for my eye exam.

Request an Appointment

Please call our New York office at (929) 429-2928 or our New Jersey office at (732) 724-2535 with any questions you may have.

STATEN ISLAND, NY EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ
Introduction Videos

Our Expert Team

Dr. Kung’s mastery in ophthalmology means you will receive thoroughly informed recommendations for vision correction and maintenance, and that your treatment will be expertly performed for the best possible results.

MEET THE DOCTORS

Kung Eye is a World Class Instruction & Leader for Continuing Eye Surgeons' Education

LEARN MORE