ESA Services

Cornea

Cornea

Corneal Conditions & Advanced Cornea Surgery

At Eye Surgery Associates, our experienced ophthalmologists provide comprehensive diagnosis and treatment for corneal conditions using the latest medical and surgical techniques. We specialise in cornea surgery across our 4 sites in Melbourne, helping patients restore vision, comfort, and eye health.

What is the Cornea?

The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped window at the front of the eye that covers the coloured iris and pupil. It consists of five distinct layers and plays a vital role in focusing light onto the retina to produce clear vision.

A healthy cornea is completely transparent. When the cornea becomes damaged, diseased, or irregular, it may swell or scar, resulting in:

  • Blurred or distorted vision
  • Glare and halos
  • Light sensitivity
  • Eye discomfort or pain

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Corneal Conditions

KERATOCONUS

Keratoconus is a common eye condition in which the normally round cornea gradually weakens and thins, causing it to bulge into a cone shape. This change can distort vision and increase sensitivity to light. The exact cause of keratoconus is unknown, but it is more common in people with allergic conditions such as asthma or eczema. Frequent eye rubbing has also been strongly linked to disease progression. If you are being assessed for keratoconus, we strongly advise avoiding eye rubbing or touching your eyes.

PTERYGIUM

A pterygium is a growth of thickened tissue that develops from the inner corner of the eye and extends over the cornea toward the pupil. As it grows, it may cause redness, irritation, blurred vision, and may affect the cosmetic appearance of the eye. Our Melbourne eye specialists offer comprehensive pterygium assessment and advanced surgical treatment to restore comfort and protect vision.

FUCHS’ CORNEAL DYSTROPHY

Fuchs’ Endothelial Dystrophy is a progressive corneal condition that affects the inner layer of the cornea, responsible for keeping it clear. As this layer weakens, fluid can build up in the cornea, leading to blurred or hazy vision, glare, and increased discomfort, often worse in the morning.

OTHER CORNEAL CONDITIONS

A range of conditions can affect the cornea, leading to reduced vision or eye discomfort, including: Lattice Corneal Dystrophy, Corneal abrasions or scarring from injury, Corneal ulcers, Recurrent corneal erosions, Herpes Simplex Virus (including shingles affecting the eye), Conjunctivitis, Keratitis. Our specialists offer comprehensive assessment and tailored treatment for all corneal disorders.

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Others Services

Treatments avaliable in Melbourne

PTERYGIUM SURGERY

Pterygium surgery involves carefully removing the abnormal tissue from the surface of the eye. A small graft of healthy tissue, usually taken from another part of the eye, is placed over the affected area. This promotes healing and significantly reduces the risk of recurrence. The graft is secured using fine sutures or specialised surgical glue.

PHOTOTHERAPEUTIC KERATECTOMY (PTK)

Phototherapeutic Keratectomy (PTK) is a laser procedure that uses an excimer laser to smooth and restore the surface of the cornea. It is an effective and precise treatment for corneal surface disease, scarring, and irregularities. The procedure typically takes only a few minutes and can significantly improve comfort and visual clarity.

PHOTOTHERAPEUTIC KERATECTOMY (PTK)

Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking (CXL) is a treatment designed to slow or halt the progression of keratoconus. It is recommended when there is clear evidence that the condition is worsening. While CXL is not intended to directly improve vision, its primary goal is to stabilise the cornea and prevent further deterioration. In some cases, mild visual improvement may occur over time as the cornea stabilises.

CAIRS

CAIRS (Corneal Allogenic Intrastromal Ring Segments) is an innovative surgical technique for treating vision in keratoconus and corneal ectasia, conditions where the cornea becomes thin and cone-shaped, causing vision problems. CAIRS helps to support and reshape the cornea by implanting tiny ring segments made from donor corneal tissue. The aim of this procedure is to improve vision.

CORNEAL TRANSPLANT

A corneal transplant involves replacing damaged corneal tissue with healthy donor tissue. The type of transplant performed depends on how much of the cornea is affected.

  • Full-thickness transplant (PK) replaces the entire cornea
  • Partial-thickness transplants (DMEK, DSAEK, DALK) replace only the diseased layers

Corneal transplantation can dramatically improve vision and quality of life when other treatments are no longer effective.

Corneal Specialists

Dr Ben Connell

MBBS, FRANZCO, MPH

Dr Nathan Wong

MBBS (Hons), B.Med.Sc, FRANZCO, certLRS

Dr Aifric Martin

MB BCh BAO, MD, MRCOphth, FRANZCO