Ocular Surface Reconstruction

When the delicate surface of the eye is damaged, it can lead to chronic pain, irritation, and significant vision loss. Ocular surface care refers to a group of highly specialized procedures designed to restore the health and clarity of the cornea and the conjunctiva (the clear layer over the white of the eye). Dr. Shah is one of the nation's leading experts in this complex field, offering a full spectrum of care for everything from minor growths to complex reconstructions.

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Descemet's Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty

DMEK

DMEK is a highly advanced corneal transplant that Dr. Shah performs for patients with vision loss from a damaged inner cell layer. This layer, called the endothelium, acts like a pump to keep your cornea clear. When these cells fail, often with a condition like Fuchs' Dystrophy, the cornea swells and becomes cloudy.

Dr. Shah performs this procedure by replacing only the faulty cell layer with a new, healthy one, leaving all other healthy corneal tissue untouched. It’s like replacing a tiny, worn-out part to get a larger machine running perfectly again.

This precise approach offers significant advantages. Your vision typically returns much faster, the final quality of sight is superb, and the risk of your body rejecting the new tissue is remarkably low.

Descemet's Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty

DSEK

DSEK is a partial corneal transplant that Dr. Shah uses to address vision loss from a failing endothelial cell layer. This delicate layer of cells on the back surface of your cornea is crucial for keeping your vision clear. When it stops working properly, your cornea can swell and become cloudy.

The DSEK procedure involves placing a thin, healthy layer of donor tissue onto the back of your cornea. Unlike a full corneal transplant, Dr. Shah's approach with DSEK targets and replaces only the damaged part.

This targeted method uses a much smaller incision, which leads to a more stable eye after surgery. This means the wound heals quickly and is far more stable. DSEK also significantly reduces the risk of serious complications like bleeding or tissue rejection, which helps protect your sight.

Common Ocular Surface Procedures

In addition to reconstructive surgery, Dr. Shah also performs a number of common outpatient procedures to improve eye health and appearance.

Pterygium/Pinguecula Excision

Pterygia and pingueculae are benign growths on the surface of the eye that can become red and irritated, or grow to affect your vision. She can perform an excision to remove the growth, often using a special technique that reduces the risk of recurrence.

Biopsy of Suspicious Lesions

If a lesion (a nevus or mole) on the surface of your eye appears suspicious, she can perform a quick biopsy to determine if it is benign or cancerous.

Cosmetic Removal of Nevi

Benign nevi (moles) on the eye are common. If they are affecting your appearance and you wish to have them removed, she can perform a safe and effective cosmetic excision.

Reconstructive Procedures

For patients with extensive damage from a chemical burn, severe autoimmune diseases, or complications from past surgeries, Dr. Shah provides advanced reconstructive procedures.

The goal is to rebuild a healthy, stable eye surface. Some of the advanced techniques she may use include:

Limbal Stem Cell Transplantation: When stem cells that regenerate the cornea's surface are damaged, a transplant can be performed using healthy cells from the patient's own eye or a donor.‍
Amniotic Membrane Grafts: The amniotic membrane, a thin layer from the placenta, has natural healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is often used as a biological bandage to help repair and regenerate the damaged eye surface.