A cornea can be damaged by injury, infection or inherited degeneration. In some cases, the loss of sight associated with corneal damage may be restored with surgical intervention. The following are corneal procedures available at Shreveport Eye Clinic.

This laser procedure is used to treat scarring of the corneal surface. In most cases, the treatment can smooth out the surface scars and allow the patient to obtain better vision.

This surgical procedure uses donor tissue to replace the damaged cornea of the patient. The patient’s cornea is removed, and the donor button is sewn into its place. Although the healing process can take up to one year or longer, the procedure results in improved vision for most patients. When it is determined that a patient requires a transplant, they are placed on the recipient waiting list. The Eye Bank procures the donor cornea for transplantation, and the patient must wait until tissue is received for them, as in all transplant situations. The waiting period cannot be determined by the physician or the Eye Bank, but it is usually not too long.

This in-office procedure utilizes a brush to scrub off the defective surface of the cornea. The goal of this procedure is for the cornea to regenerate new tissue that will be smoother, allowing the patient to see better and be more comfortable.

Dr. Carol Clemons was one of the first surgeons in the Shreveport area to offer this cutting-edge technology. It is an exciting new alternative to the traditional corneal transplant. Unlike traditional corneal transplants, DSAEK does not require the complete replacement of the cornea. With DSAEK, the diseased endothelial layer is stripped away and replaced with donor tissue. The wound is sutured with only two to three sutures instead of the 16 to 18 required in the standard corneal transplant.

Only patients with certain endothelial diseases, such as Fuchs’ Dystrophy, are candidates for this procedure. For those patients who are eligible, this is a dramatic breakthrough in the treatment of corneal disease.