Cornea Disease & Treatment | Premier Eye Care of Eastern Idaho

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What is the cornea?

The cornea is a transparent, dome-shaped tissue that covers the front of the eye. It serves as a protective barrier against germs and debris while allowing light to pass through and focus on the retina for clear vision. The cornea is composed of five distinct layers: the epithelium, Bowman’s layer, stroma, Descemet’s membrane, and endothelium.

Am I at risk for corneal conditions?

While some conditions are inherited, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk of corneal injuries and infections.
It is important to wear protective eyewear in the following situations:

Playing sports that use smaller balls or objects, like baseball, hockey or similar sports
Outside work like weed eating, mowing or trimming trees
Hobbies that include pneumatic tools
Using chemicals, like bleach, pesticides, paint, corrosive sprays etc.

Keep contact lenses clean, disinfected and stored properly. Injuries or disease can require a cornea transplant to improve vision.

What is a cornea transplant?

A cornea transplant involves taking healthy tissue from a donor and using it to replace diseased or damaged tissue in a patient’s eye.

There are various types of corneal transplants depending on what portions of the cornea need to be replaced.

The most common transplants include: penetrating keratoplasty (PKP), Descemet’s stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK), and Descemet’s membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK).

Our specialists will discuss with you what treatment is best suited to meet your needs.

Cornea

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions? Call or schedule an appointment to get a more in-depth look at your eye health.

What is a penetrating keratoplasty?

Penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) is a surgical procedure in which all layers of the cornea are replaced. This surgery is particularly effective for repairing significant corneal damage, but it typically involves a longer recovery period compared to other corneal transplants. After the procedure, corrective glasses or special contact lenses are usually required to help achieve the best possible vision.

What is a Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty?

Descemet’s Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSAEK) is a partial-thickness corneal transplant procedure designed to replace damaged or dysfunctional endothelial cells. These cells play a critical role in maintaining the cornea's clarity by acting as a pump to regulate fluid balance. When the endothelial cells fail, the cornea becomes cloudy.
DSAEK involves only small incisions in the cornea, allowing for a quicker recovery and better visual outcomes compared to penetrating keratoplasty (PKP). The DSAEK graft includes the endothelial cells along with a portion of the central corneal layer, known as the stroma.
While newer techniques such as Descemet’s Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK) offer certain advantages, DSAEK remains an excellent surgical option, particularly for patients with additional conditions, such as glaucoma or a history of retinal detachments.

What is a Descemet's membrane endothelial keratoplasty?

Descemet’s Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK) is the latest advancement in corneal transplant techniques and technology. Similar to DSAEK, DMEK is a partial-thickness corneal transplant designed to replace dysfunctional endothelial cells. However, the DMEK graft is significantly thinner—only a few microns thick—and contains no excess tissue. This results in faster visual recovery and enhanced potential for optimal vision outcomes.

What is Fuchs Dystrophy?

Fuchs' dystrophy is a condition characterized by endothelial dysfunction, typically affecting older adults. It may occur sporadically or be inherited within families. The endothelial cells of the cornea function as pumps, maintaining its clarity. When these cells fail, the cornea becomes cloudy, leading to blurred vision. In advanced stages, the cloudy cornea may deteriorate further, forming painful blisters known as bullae. Fuchs' dystrophy can be effectively treated through partial-thickness corneal transplants, such as DSAEK and DMEK.

Image of Fuchs' dystrophy, a condition where endothelial cell dysfunction in the cornea causes cloudiness and blurred vision, common in older adults. Advanced stages may lead to painful bullae, treatable with partial cornea transplants such as DSAEK and DMEK.

What is a pterygium?

A pterygium is a noncancerous growth of tissue onto the cornea. It originates from the conjunctiva (clear layer of tissue covering the white of the eye) and is associated with sun exposure. A pterygium can cause irritation, redness, and decreased vision as it moves towards the center of the cornea. It can be surgically removed to fix these concerning symptoms and provide better cosmetic appearance.

Close-up image of veins on the right side of the iris, highlighting early signs of pterygium.

Second image shows the entire eye with a pterygium growth on the opposite side of the cornea, illustrating its progression. Pterygium is a noncancerous tissue growth often caused by sun exposure, leading to irritation and vision issues.

What is a corneal abrasion?

When someone says they’ve scratched their eye, they likely have a corneal abrasion. A corneal abrasion is where the top layer of cell protecting the eye, called the epithelium, is removed. Due to the high number of nerves in the cornea, this can be extremely painful and lead to infection and scarring if the wound becomes infected. If properly treated, corneal abrasion usually heals within a few days.

What is a corneal ulcer?

A corneal ulcer is a serious infection affecting the deeper layers of the cornea, and it can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or even certain parasites. If left untreated, these infections can lead to permanent vision loss. Sleeping in contact lenses increases the risk of developing a corneal ulcer by six to eight times. Prompt and appropriate treatment is essential to prevent complications.

Can I get shingles in my eye?

The shingles virus, also known as varicella zoster virus (VZV), is the same virus that causes chickenpox. After an initial chickenpox infection, the virus remains dormant in certain nerve tissues and can reactivate later in life, leading to a painful blistering rash known as shingles.
In some cases, the virus may affect the eyes, causing nerve damage, painful ulcerations, and potential permanent scarring. If you develop shingles on your face or forehead, it is crucial to have an eye examination to ensure there is no involvement of the ocular structures.

What is anterior basement membrane dystrophy?

Anterior basement membrane dystrophy (ABMD) is a condition in which the epithelial layer of the cornea, the topmost cell layer, fails to adhere properly to the underlying corneal tissue. This can result in painful epithelial erosions, caused by the tissue sloughing off or becoming torn. These erosions typically occur during the night or in the morning when the eyes are dry, and the eyelid may stick to the fragile tissue. Fortunately, there are a variety of medical and surgical treatment options available to manage and often resolve this condition.

Image showing the effects of anterior basement membrane dystrophy (ABMD), where the cornea's top epithelial layer fails to adhere properly, leading to painful erosions. The condition often causes discomfort in the morning or at night due to dry eyes and fragile tissue sticking to the eyelid. Various medical and surgical treatments are available to manage ABMD.

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Comprehensive Eye Examination

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What to expect from your visit

A comprehensive eye exam allows us to assess the overall health of your eyes and develop a personalized care plan tailored to your specific needs. The exam includes a series of questions and tests designed to gather detailed information about the various functions and structures of your eyes. This brief video will guide you through the entire process, ensuring you know exactly what to expect.

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Our Locations

Monday-Thursday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Friday 8:00 am - 3:00pm

Idaho Falls, ID

2100 Providence Way Idaho Falls, ID 83404

Located South of EIRMC and Sunnyside Rd in Idaho Falls

Location Details

(208) 529-6600

Pocatello, ID

1777 E Clark St #310 Pocatello, ID 83201

Located on Clark St. right off of I-15 take exit 69. Between 16th & 17th Ave.

Location Details

(208) 232-4133

Rexburg, ID

23 Sawtelle Ave Suite 102 Rexburg, ID 83440

Right off of Main Street West of HWY-20 across from Valley Wide Country Store & Blister's BBQ.

Location Details

(208) 359-1888

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