Corneal Conditions Treatments

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The Medical Eye Clinic,
Glen House,
Sigford Road,
Matford Park,
Exeter, EX2 8NL

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Corneal Conditions Treatments

Corneal Procedures

Mr Harry Roberts is our corneal expert at the Medical Eye Clinic. He can be consulted at the Medical Eye Clinic on all corneal conditions.

Corneal procedures such as Pterygium surgery and Superficial keratectomy can be carried out at the Medical Eye Clinic.

Pterygium surgery

Superficial keratectomy

Corneal transplantation

Pterygium surgery

Pterygium excision with conjunctival autograft is a surgical procedure designed to remove a pterygium—a benign growth on the surface of the eye that can cause irritation and vision issues. During the surgery, the pterygium is carefully excised, and a graft of healthy conjunctival tissue from the patient’s own eye is used to cover the area where the pterygium was removed. This technique helps to reduce the risk of recurrence and promotes faster healing. The use of the patient’s own tissue minimises the risk of rejection and supports better long-term outcomes.

The procedure is typically performed under local anaesthetic on an outpatient basis with a relatively quick recovery time, making it an effective solution for managing pterygium.

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Superficial keratectomy

Superficial keratectomy is a surgical procedure aimed at removing the outer layers of the cornea to treat conditions such as recurrent corneal erosion, superficial corneal dystrophies, or certain types of corneal scarring. During the procedure, the damaged or diseased surface layers of the cornea are carefully removed to promote healing and restore corneal clarity. This technique can help alleviate symptoms such as pain, blurred vision, and irritation by allowing healthier corneal tissue to regenerate.

Superficial keratectomy is typically performed on an outpatient basis and involves a relatively straightforward recovery, with many patients experiencing significant improvement in symptoms and vision.

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Corneal transplantation

The are several different types of corneal transplant procedures. Mr Roberts can perform private Corneal Transplantation at the Royal Devon and England Eye Unit.

Endothelial transplantation (DMEK, DSAEK)

Corneal endothelial transplant surgery, also known as endothelial keratoplasty (EK/ DMEK/ DSAEK), is a specialised procedure that replaces the damaged innermost layer of the cornea, the endothelium, with healthy donor tissue. This surgery is typically performed to treat conditions like Fuchs endothelial dystrophy, where the corneal endothelium fails, leading to vision loss. The procedure involves removing the diseased endothelial cells and replacing them with a thin layer of donor corneal tissue, which helps restore the cornea’s clarity and restore vision.

Endothelial transplant surgery is minimally invasive, with a much shorter recovery time compared to traditional full-thickness corneal transplants, and it offers a high success rate in restoring vision.

Deep anterior lamellar transplant

Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty (DALK) is a corneal transplant surgery that replaces the damaged outer and middle layers of the cornea while preserving the healthy inner layer, the endothelium. DALK is typically performed to treat conditions like keratoconus or corneal scarring that affect the front part of the cornea. By retaining the patient’s endothelium, this procedure reduces the risk of rejection and offers a faster recovery compared to full-thickness corneal transplants.

DALK is a highly effective surgery that can significantly improve vision while minimizing complications associated with traditional corneal transplants.

Full thickness corneal transplants (PK)

Penetrating Keratoplasty (PKP) is a comprehensive corneal transplant surgery that replaces the full thickness of the cornea with a donor cornea. This procedure is typically used to treat severe corneal conditions such as advanced keratoconus, corneal dystrophies, or significant corneal scarring. During PKP, the entire corneal thickness is removed and replaced with a carefully matched donor cornea to restore vision and improve corneal function.

Although PKP is highly effective in addressing severe corneal issues, it involves a longer recovery period and a higher risk of rejection compared to more selective transplant procedures. However, it remains a critical option for patients with extensive corneal damage.

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