What the cornea does, and why it needs a specialist
The cornea is the clear dome at the front of the eye. It provides about two thirds of the eye's focusing power, protects the interior, and has to stay perfectly transparent and regular to do either job. It is only about half a millimeter thick, has no blood vessels, and is the most densely innervated tissue in the body. Disease, infection, injury or an inherited weakness in any of its five layers blurs vision, and because the cornea is the first surface light meets, small irregularities have large effects. Cornea specialists train for an additional year after residency in exactly these problems and in the surgery that treats them.
Conditions we diagnose and treat
- Keratoconus and corneal ectasia: diagnosis, corneal cross-linking to halt progression, and specialty contact lenses for vision
- Corneal infections and ulcers, including contact lens related keratitis, treated urgently
- Corneal dystrophies, including Fuchs endothelial dystrophy and the epithelial and stromal dystrophies
- Corneal scarring from injury, infection or previous surgery
- Pterygium and pinguecula, with graft surgery for pterygium
- Recurrent corneal erosion and neurotrophic keratitis
- Complex ocular surface disease and severe dry eye
- Corneal assessment before refractive and cataract surgery, and complications after them
How a cornea visit works
A cornea evaluation combines a detailed slit lamp examination with imaging, which may include corneal topography and tomography for shape, pachymetry for thickness, endothelial cell counts for the inner layer, and anterior segment optical coherence tomography for the layers in cross section. Cultures are taken when infection is suspected. The diagnosis is explained plainly, with images, and the treatment plan set out with its timeline. Many corneal conditions are managed medically; when surgery may help, Dr. Youssefzadeh explains the options and whether they suit you.
Working with your other eye doctors
Optometrists and general ophthalmologists refer patients to us for corneal opinions and co-manage the follow-up, and we keep your eye doctor informed. A referral is welcome but not required; patients can book a cornea evaluation directly. For urgent problems (a painful red eye in a contact lens wearer, for example), call us right away at (855) 456-2253 and say it is urgent.
Is this right for your eyes?
Nothing on this page is a diagnosis. Whether this is the right choice for you is decided by a full examination at one of our 4 offices: Pasadena, Huntington Beach, Woodland Hills and Beverly Hills.
About this content: This page was written with the assistance of AI tools and reviewed for medical accuracy by Dr. Bavand Youssefzadeh, DO. It is general information, not medical advice, and does not replace an eye examination. Individual results vary. Read our medical disclaimer.
