Cornea and External Diseases
The Vanderbilt Eye Institute offers high-quality, compassionate care to people with any type of disorder of the cornea. We treat a wide range of conditions that involve the surface of the eye, including the cornea, conjunctiva and lens.
Conditions We Treat
We treat all cornea conditions, including:
- Cornea trauma
- Cornea infections
- Corneal dystrophies
- Corneal scars
- Corneal tumors
Meet Your Care Team
Christine ShiehMD
- Cataract Surgery (Traditional and Laser), Corneal Dystrophies, Corneal Herpes, Corneal Transplantation, Keratoconus, Ophthalmology
Uyen L. TranMD
- Anterior Segment Surgery, Cataract Surgery (Traditional and Laser), Corneal Dystrophies, Corneal Transplantation, Keratoconus, Ophthalmology
Why Choose Cornea and External Disease Care at Vanderbilt
- Clinical trials
Because we are part of an academic medical center, we offer access to some of the most promising new treatments and therapies being tested in clinical trials. Participating in a clinical trial is always optional. Find a clinical trial.
- Advanced technology and treatment
You’ll get the most advanced treatment because our ophthalmologists are fellowship-trained. We use the latest techniques and technology to treat corneal diseases. For instance, our team offers the most advanced type of corneal transplant, and now uses a new non-invasive method called collagen corneal cross-linking for the treatment of keratoconus. This strengthens a misshapen cornea and can prevent the need for a transplant.
- Team approach
Our team works closely with other specialists (retina, glaucoma and oculoplastics) to make sure all your needs are met. Additionally, our cornea experts collaborate with rheumatologists to help patients whose vision may be affected by their autoimmune conditions like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
Tests, Treatments and Services
We offer a full range of tests, treatments and services, including:
- Amniotic membrane transplants
- Collagen cross-linking
- Confocal microscope examination of corneal layers
- Corneal surface measurements with Pentacam
- Keratoprosthesis (artificial cornea)
- Optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA)