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Cornea Specialists
The cornea is the clear front surface of the eye and provides most of the eye’s total focusing power.
AVP•SEES Group cornea specialists diagnose and treat keratoconus, dry eye, corneal infections, endothelial disorders, and corneal transplant candidates across Virginia, Tennessee, and Alabama.
Advanced Cornea Care In Virginia, Tennessee, And Alabama
AVP•SEES Group cornea specialists provide advanced diagnosis and treatment for conditions affecting the cornea, the clear front layer of the eye responsible for focusing light and keeping vision sharp.
With locations throughout Virginia, Tennessee, and Alabama, our fellowship-trained ophthalmologists offer personalized care for corneal disease, keratoconus, dry eye, corneal infections, corneal scarring, and complex vision concerns.
What Does A Cornea Specialist Treat?
A cornea specialist is an ophthalmologist with advanced fellowship training in diseases and disorders of the cornea and ocular surface. Patients are often referred to a corneal specialist for persistent eye irritation, blurry vision, light sensitivity, corneal scarring, keratoconus, infections, or other complex surface conditions.
Cornea specialists commonly treat:
- Keratoconus and irregular corneas
- Corneal infections and ulcers
- Corneal scarring and abrasions
- Fuchs’ dystrophy and other endothelial disorders
- Dry eye disease affecting the corneal surface
- Corneal transplant evaluations and surgical planning
Our goal is to protect, preserve, and restore your vision using the latest medical and surgical treatment options.
Symptoms Of Dry Eye And Corneal Surface Disease
Dry eye is one of the most common reasons patients are referred for a corneal evaluation.
Watch for:
- Burning, stinging, or gritty sensation
- Red or irritated eyes
- Blurred or fluctuating vision
- Light sensitivity
- Excessive tearing, which can paradoxically signal dryness
- Discomfort with contact lenses
Risk Factors For Chronic Dry Eye
- Age 50 and older
- Hormonal changes
- Autoimmune conditions, such as Sjögren’s syndrome or lupus
- Long-term contact lens wear
- Extended screen time
- Certain medications
- Environmental exposure to wind or dry climates
Dry Eye Treatment Options
Treatment depends on the underlying cause of your symptoms. Options may include:
- Prescription anti-inflammatory eye drops
- Punctal plugs to preserve natural tears
- Meibomian gland dysfunction management
- Specialty contact lenses for corneal protection
- In-office procedural treatments for severe dry eye
- Ocular surface optimization before cataract or refractive surgery
Punctal occlusion, or tear duct plugs, is a minimally invasive in-office procedure that helps preserve natural tears and improve long-term comfort for moderate to severe dry eye.
Keratoconus: Understanding Corneal Thinning
Keratoconus is a progressive condition that causes the cornea to thin and bulge into a cone-like shape, leading to irregular astigmatism, distorted vision, glare, halos, and worsening vision over time. According to a
Trusted Source
Management of keratoconus: an updated review
Ferdi, A.C., et al.
Go to Source
clinical review
of keratoconus management, estimates of how many people are affected vary by population, ranging from roughly 1 in 375 to 1 in 2,000 individuals.
Keratoconus often develops in the late teens or early adulthood and may progress over several years, with each eye affected differently. Our specialists evaluate keratoconus using advanced corneal imaging and topography.
Common symptoms include:
- Blurred or distorted vision
- Increased light sensitivity
- Frequent changes in eyeglass prescription
- Difficulty seeing clearly at night
Keratoconus treatment options include:
- Corneal cross-linking (CXL)
- Specialty contact lenses
- Intacs
- Corneal transplant, for advanced cases
Corneal Cross-Linking (CXL)
For patients with progressive keratoconus or corneal ectasia, corneal cross-linking is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure designed to slow or stop disease progression. Our providers offer the
Trusted Source
Photrexa Viscous/Photrexa Prescribing Information (NDA 203324)
U.S Food and Drug Administration
Go to Source
FDA-approved
cross-linking treatment, which strengthens weakened corneal tissue using riboflavin (vitamin B2) eye drops combined with controlled ultraviolet A (UVA) light.
How it works:
- Riboflavin (vitamin B2): Eye drops are applied to the cornea to prepare it for treatment and enhance absorption of the UVA light.
- Ultraviolet A (UVA) light: A precise light source activates the riboflavin, creating new molecular bonds within the corneal collagen that increase stability and reduce further thinning.
You may be a candidate for cross-linking if you:
- Have been diagnosed with progressive keratoconus
- Have corneal ectasia following refractive surgery
- Show documented corneal thinning or increasing astigmatism
- Are generally 14 years of age or older
Corneal Transplant Surgery
When the cornea is too damaged or diseased to manage medically, keratoplasty replaces the diseased tissue with healthy donor tissue.
Penetrating Keratoplasty (PK):
A full-thickness transplant where the entire cornea is replaced.
DSEK And DMEK:
Partial-thickness transplants used primarily for Fuchs’ dystrophy, replacing only the diseased innermost layer for a faster recovery than full-thickness surgery.
Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty (DALK):
Replaces the outer and middle corneal layers while leaving the innermost layer intact, often used for keratoconus with severe scarring.
Recovery timelines vary by procedure. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, partial-thickness transplants like DMEK or DSEK typically allow
Trusted Source
About Corneal Transplantation
American Academy of Ophthalmology
Go to Source
faster
visual recovery than full-thickness transplants, which can take up to a year or more to stabilize.
Why Choose AVP•SEES Group
AVP•SEES Group is one of the region’s most comprehensive specialty eye care networks, serving patients across Virginia, Tennessee, and Alabama.
- 40+ years of dedicated service to the community
- 50,000+ successful procedures performed each year
- 100+ physicians across our network
- Board-Certified Ophthalmologists and Fellowship-Trained Cornea Specialists
- Active memberships in the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS)
Cornea Care FAQ
What does a cornea specialist treat?
A cornea specialist treats conditions affecting the clear front surface of the eye, including corneal disease, keratoconus, corneal infections, scarring, and ocular surface problems.
When should I see a cornea specialist?
Consider a cornea evaluation if you have persistent eye irritation, light sensitivity, corneal scarring, frequent infections, distorted vision, or worsening blurry vision.
Can cornea problems cause blurry vision?
Yes. Cornea conditions can affect how light enters the eye and may cause blurry, distorted, or uncomfortable vision.
What testing is used to evaluate cornea conditions?
Evaluations may include a detailed eye exam, corneal imaging, measurements of corneal shape, and testing of the ocular surface and clarity of the cornea.
Are cornea conditions treatable?
Many cornea conditions can be managed with medication, specialty contact lenses, in-office procedures, or surgery, depending on the diagnosis and severity.
Schedule Your Cornea Consultation
If you are experiencing blurry vision, eye pain, light sensitivity, or a diagnosed corneal condition, don’t wait to get answers. Our fellowship-trained cornea specialists proudly serve patients across Virginia, Tennessee, and Alabama, and are ready to build a personalized treatment plan for you.
1 Ferdi, A.C., et al. Management of keratoconus: an updated review. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10318194/
2 U.S. Food and Drug Administration — Photrexa Viscous/Photrexa Prescribing Information (NDA 203324). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/nda/2016/203324Orig1s000Lbl.pdf
3 National Eye Institute — Corneal Conditions. https://www.nei.nih.gov/eye-health-information/eye-conditions-and-diseases/corneal-conditions
4 American Academy of Ophthalmology — About Corneal Transplantation. https://www.aao.org/eye-health/treatments/about-corneal-transplantation
Leadership at AVP•SEES Group has either authored or reviewed and approved this content.