Focused Corneal Care in San Diego & Imperial County
Your cornea is the clear, outer layer of the eye, which plays a vital role in how you see. When the cornea becomes damaged, scarred, or irregular, it can cause blurred vision, discomfort, and long-term complications. At American Eye Associates, our corneal care doctors provides full-spectrum care – from dry eye treatment to advanced transplant surgery.
We treat everything from pterygium and keratoconus to rare corneal disorders—always focusing on preserving vision and improving comfort.
Conditions We Treat
We treat various corneal conditions—from dry eye and pterygium to complex disorders like keratoconus and Fuchs’ dystrophy—using advanced diagnostics and personalized care.
Advanced Corneal Treatments
DMEK & DSEK Corneal Transplants
Descemet’s Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK) and Descemet’s Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSEK) are two types of partial-thickness corneal transplants used to treat conditions that affect the innermost layer of the cornea, such as Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy and corneal swelling after surgery.
Rather than replacing the entire cornea like a traditional transplant, DMEK and DSEK remove only the damaged inner layers and replace them with healthy donor tissue, allowing for quicker healing, fewer complications, and excellent visual outcomes.
- DSEK replaces the endothelium and a thin layer of underlying tissue (stroma)
- DMEK is even more precise, replacing only the endothelium and Descemet’s membrane, making it the thinnest and most anatomical transplant available
Corneal Crosslinking
Corneal crosslinking is a minimally invasive procedure to treat keratoconus. Crosslinking aims to strengthen and stabilize the cornea to prevent further progression of the disease. While it doesn’t reverse keratoconus, it is the only FDA-approved treatment proven to slow or stop its progression.
Pterygium Surgery
Pterygium surgery is often recommended when the pterygium affects your vision, continues to grow, or causes chronic discomfort or cosmetic concerns.
The growth is carefully removed during the procedure and often replaced with a conjunctival autograft—a piece of healthy tissue from another part of your eye. This technique reduces the risk of recurrence and promotes faster healing.
Salzman’s Nodule Removal
Salzman’s nodule removal is a minor outpatient surgical procedure performed when the nodules affect your vision or cause discomfort. During the procedure, the nodules are carefully removed from the corneal surface, often followed by a smoothing treatment or medication to support healing and reduce recurrence.
Scleral Contact Lenses
Scleral contact lenses are a game-changing solution for patients with corneal conditions. These custom lenses vault over the eye's surface, creating a smooth optical surface and a cushion of moisture that improves comfort, protects the cornea, and delivers crisp, stable vision.
Trusted Surgical Care You Can Trust
At American Eye Associates, our board-certified cornea focused doctors have training in routine and complex anterior segment procedures. Our surgeons perform:
- Premium cataract surgery with corneal considerations
- Laser-assisted procedures for precise outcomes
- Advanced refractive options for patients with prior corneal diseases
With high-resolution imaging, corneal topography, and in-house diagnostics, we ensure every treatment is personalized and data-driven.