Corneal Disease Treatment at Washington Eye Institute
The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped front surface of your eye that provides the majority of your focusing power. When healthy, it remains transparent and smooth for clear vision; however, disease or injury can cause blurring, light sensitivity, and pain. Led by board-certified specialists, Washington Eye Institute provides expert surgical management for advanced corneal disease, including transplant and referral cases, utilizing state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment technology.
7M+
Americans with Vision Impairment
90%
First-Year Graft Survival Rate
Source: CDC Vision Health Initiative; Australian Corneal Graft Registry
Corneal Disease Specialist
Understanding the Cornea and How Disease Affects Your Vision
The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped front surface of your eye that covers the iris and pupil. It works like a window, allowing light to enter the eye, and it also provides a significant portion of your eye's focusing power. When the cornea is healthy, it remains transparent and smooth, giving you clear, comfortable vision. When disease, injury, or infection disrupts that clarity, you may notice blurred vision, pain, sensitivity to light, or a persistent feeling that something is in your eye.
Cornea-Focused Expertise
Our fellowship-trained corneal specialist provides precise diagnosis and individualized treatment for every stage of corneal disease.
Advanced Diagnostics
We use corneal topography, specular microscopy, and anterior segment optical coherence tomography (OCT) to map and measure your cornea with a high degree of precision.
Corneal Transplant Specialist
Dr. Joseph Mekhail is a fellowship-trained cornea and refractive surgery specialist dedicated to the diagnosis and surgical management of complex corneal disease. His expertise spans corneal transplantation, corneal cross-linking, and pterygium surgery — providing advanced solutions for patients with advanced corneal conditions, including transplant and referral cases that demand specialized care.
Fellowship-Trained Surgeon
Cornea and refractive surgery fellowship, University of California
Complex Corneal Disease
Specialized in advanced and referral cornea cases
Advanced Surgical Techniques
Corneal transplantation, cross-linking & pterygium surgery
Individualized Treatment
Personalized care plans tailored to each patient's corneal condition
Fellowship-Trained Cornea and Refractive Specialist
Are You a Candidate for Corneal Treatment?
If you experience persistent blurred vision, eye pain, light sensitivity, or a feeling that something is stuck in your eye, you may be a candidate for corneal disease treatment. Many corneal conditions progress gradually, so early evaluation is important for preserving your sight.
Our specialist will perform a complete corneal evaluation to determine the right treatment approach for your condition, whether that involves medicated eye drops, specialty contact lenses, cross-linking, or a corneal transplant procedure.
The sooner corneal disease is diagnosed, the more treatment options may be available to help protect and improve your vision.
Find Relief From
Advanced Corneal Treatments
We offer the full range of medical and surgical treatments for corneal disease, from minimally invasive therapies to advanced transplant procedures.
Corneal Transplant Surgery for Vision Restoration
Corneal transplant surgery replaces damaged or diseased corneal tissue with healthy donor tissue to restore clarity and improve vision. At Washington Eye Institute, Dr. Mekhail performs both full-thickness (penetrating keratoplasty) and partial-thickness procedures such as DSAEK and DMEK.
Partial-thickness transplants target only the affected layer of the cornea, which may allow for faster healing, lower rejection rates, and improved visual outcomes in many patients. Your surgeon will recommend the approach best suited to your specific condition.
How Corneal Transplant Surgery Works
Comprehensive Evaluation
Your surgeon performs corneal topography, pachymetry, and specular microscopy to determine the best surgical approach.
Donor Tissue Preparation
High-quality donor corneal tissue is carefully processed and matched to your specific procedure type.
Precision Transplant
Using advanced microsurgical techniques, your surgeon replaces the damaged corneal tissue with healthy donor tissue.
Recovery and Follow-Up
Medicated eye drops support healing while regular follow-up visits monitor graft clarity and visual improvement.
Corneal Disease Warning Signs
Recognizing the early signs of corneal disease can help you seek treatment before your vision is permanently affected. Contact a specialist if you notice any of these symptoms.
Advanced Corneal Technology
Our diagnostic suite features the latest corneal imaging and measurement tools to guide precise treatment planning for every patient.
Corneal Topography
Creates a detailed three-dimensional map of the corneal surface to detect irregularities and guide treatment planning
Specular Microscopy
Measures the density and health of corneal endothelial cells to assess transplant candidacy and monitor disease progression
Anterior Segment OCT
Provides high-resolution cross-sectional imaging of the cornea, helping identify scarring, thinning, and structural changes
Pachymetry
Measures corneal thickness with precision to support diagnosis of keratoconus, Fuchs dystrophy, and pre-surgical planning
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a full-thickness and a partial-thickness corneal transplant?
A full-thickness transplant (penetrating keratoplasty) replaces all layers of the cornea, while a partial-thickness transplant targets only the specific layer that is damaged. Partial-thickness procedures, such as DSAEK and DMEK for endothelial disease, typically offer faster recovery and a lower risk of rejection. Your surgeon will recommend the approach that best matches the layer of your cornea that is affected.
Can keratoconus be corrected with glasses?
In the earliest stages, glasses or standard soft contact lenses may provide adequate vision. As keratoconus progresses and the cornea becomes more irregular, specialty rigid or scleral contact lenses are usually needed to create a smooth optical surface over the cone-shaped cornea. Cross-linking may also be recommended to prevent further progression.
How do I know if my corneal ulcer needs emergency care?
You should seek care promptly if you have a red, painful eye with a visible white spot on the cornea, worsening vision, or significant discharge. Contact lens wearers who develop these symptoms should remove their lenses immediately and call an eye specialist. Delaying treatment for a corneal ulcer increases the risk of scarring that could permanently reduce your vision.
What should I expect during recovery from corneal cross-linking?
Most patients experience mild to moderate discomfort, light sensitivity, and blurry vision for the first few days after cross-linking. A protective contact lens is placed on the eye to help with healing and is usually removed within the first week. Full visual stabilization may take several weeks to a few months, and your doctor will monitor your progress with scheduled follow-up visits.
Does Fuchs dystrophy always require surgery?
Not always. In its early stages, Fuchs dystrophy can often be managed with hypertonic saline drops or ointments that draw excess fluid out of the cornea and improve clarity. If the condition progresses to the point where your vision significantly interferes with daily activities and no longer responds to drops, your doctor may recommend an endothelial transplant to restore clear vision.
How can I reduce my risk of a contact lens-related corneal infection?
The most important steps include never sleeping in contact lenses unless they are specifically approved for overnight wear, replacing your lens case regularly, using only fresh contact lens solution each time you store your lenses, and avoiding swimming or showering while wearing contacts. If you develop redness, pain, or blurred vision while wearing contact lenses, remove them immediately and contact Washington Eye Institute at 301.800.7490 for evaluation.
Schedule Your Corneal Evaluation Today
Our fellowship-trained corneal specialist is ready to help you protect and improve your vision.