Specialties

Cornea

The Most Advanced Corneal Solutions

If you begin to experience issues with your vision, such as dry eye, eye pain, or blurred vision, it may be a sign of a corneal issue. But what exactly is the cornea? The cornea is your eye’s outermost layer and provides most of the focusing power of the eyes. When there is a problem with your cornea, it can significantly affect your vision and cause long-term damage. At Wilmington Eye, our highly specialized corneal team offer the broadest and most advanced corneal solutions, providing exceptional corneal care to patients across southeastern North Carolina.

 

 

 

Detecting & Treating Dry Eye Disease

One of the most commonly treated corneal issues is Dry Eye Disease. If you have prolonged symptoms of dry eyes, red or irritated eyes, stinging and burning or even tired or painful eyes, you may be suffering from Dry Eye Disease. Dry Eye Disease occurs when your tears are no longer able to provide adequate lubrication for your eyes. If you suspect that you may be suffering from Dry Eye Disease, it’s important to see your eye doctor. The most common treatment for Dry Eye Disease is over-the-counter artificial tears. However, patients that experience more severe or persistent symptoms may require additional procedures or surgery to repair or manage the underlying cause of dry eye. Our cornea specialist will meet with you to determine the best possible treatment plan for you.

OTC Products for Dry Eye

Wilmington Eye offers over-the-counter products for Dry Eye so that you can leave your appointment and immediately begin your treatment plan, skipping the long lines at your pharmacy or local drug store.

  • Artificial Tears
  • Serum Tears
  • Punctual Plugs

Treatments for Dry Eye

When over-the-counter products fail to provide relief from Dry Eye, Wilmington Eye offers several in-office treatments that can alleviate the symptoms of Dry Eye and directly treat the ocular disease.

  • Lipiflow
  • IPL (Intense pulsed light therapy)
  • Maskin Probe

 

Other Corneal Problems & Diseases

While Dry Eye is a common corneal-related problem that we treat, our board-certified ophthalmic surgeons specialize in other conditions of the cornea. If you begin to experience any changes in your vision, have sudden or severe pain, or have been diagnosed with a corneal disease, it may be time to see a corneal specialist. Some common corneal diseases include:

  • Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
  • Corneal Infections
  • Dry Eye
  • Fuchs’ Dystrophy
  • Corneal Dystrophies
  • Herpes Zoster (Shingles)
  • Keratoconus
  • Epithelial Basement Membrane Dystrophy
  • Ocular Herpes
  • Pterygium

 

Advanced Corneal Procedures

If you have been diagnosed with a corneal disease, it’s important to seek treatment immediately. Our experienced cornea doctor, Dr. Clark Springs, has more than 15 years of experience treating corneal issues and diseases. We will evaluate your vision to determine the root cause of your vision problems and develop a custom treatment plan that utilizes the latest in prescription drugs and medical technology to deliver lasting results and improve your vision. In addition to superior care, our corneal team provides some of the most advanced and proven treatments for corneal disorders, including:

  • Full & partial corneal transplants
  • Ultra-thin Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSEK)
  • Superficial Keratectomy
  • Lipiflow

We are proud to have one of the most talented corneal specialists in the region. Our highly specialized corneal team offer complete care, from diagnosis and treatment to post-operative care. If you are experiencing an issue with your vision, schedule an appointment with our doctors today.

Schedule A Corneal Evaluation

Cornea FAQs

Patient Stories

01/06
  • "No other eye care center could help me with my dry eyes. They are compassionate and their knowledge level is superior!"
    Marcie J
  • "Dr Jenkins is wonderful! He is very caring and has worked very hard to improve my dry eye condition using several different treatments never suggested by any other opthamologist. My eyes are so much more comfortable now. I am now able to drive comfortably again and my vision has improved greatly."
    Sherry J
  • "I am EXTREMELY blessed to have found Wilmington Eye! After suffering with very bad dry eye for over 2 years and went to 3 other doctors, someone suggested Dr, Jenkins highly. My life changed from being miserable everyday and constantly putting drops in my eyes to relief!!! I would highly recommend Wilmington Eye!"
    Kathy R
  • "Staff is freindly and the doc is knowledgeable about concerns regarding dry eye. He gave me a prescription that will help ease the dry eye symptoms."
    Ginni C
  • "My exam was to determine if I had a problem other than dry eye. He was very nice and luckily I only have dry eye. He recommended a different over the counter eye that has help a lot!"
    Carla S
  • "Dr. Jenkins was excellent! He is very caring and listens to me. I am so excited that I finally found a dry eye doctor who truly knowledgeable the disease of dry eye and tries to fix the issue. After going to several eye doctors who just keep giving me eye drops that don't work, I finally have some hope!"
    Tina D
  • "Dr explained what he was seeing in my eyes. He explained what the best medicine was for dry eyes. He was thorough and easy to speak with."
    Roberta S
  • "I would have given 6 stars if possible. Dr. Orban was fantastic. She started asking questions from the beginning about my symptoms. She then offered possible causes and solutions. I would recommend her to anyone suffering from dry eyes."
    Keith & Angie C
  • "Amazing experience with Dr. Escaravage. He’s caring and listens. I’m grateful I found him after suffering years with dry eyes. The best in the business."
    Melissa N
  • "Dr. Jenkins made a tremendous difference in my dry eye condition. I have Sjogrens which causes severe dry eyes and his treatment has improved my condition when other opthamologists were not able to help. I am so much more comfortable and my vision has improved as well. I highly recommend him!"
    Sherry T
  • "I have been a patient for several years and have always had an excellent patient experience, been to all 3 locations, Dr. Jenkins has been my primary provider for cornea for 3 yrs.... Amazing physician as well as his team! Thanks for everything Dr. Jenkins."
    Kelly E
  • "I had two corneal transplants at Duke University Hosp. Since then I've needed follow up appointments but have been seen here at Wilmington Eye and the professionalism that I received here locally was second to none. I was impressed and felt that the need to drive to Durham is not a necessity since we have such an excellent facility right here in our own backyard of Wilmington, NC."
    Richard B
  • "My visit was my annual eye exam with special emphasis on monitoring the continued success of the cornea "smoothing" procedure that Dr. Jenkins did for me 3 + years ago. I am very grateful that he does not want to see me for a year. However, that is a personal disappointment as I so much enjoy our conversations."
    Jack S
  • "Excellent professionals! Dr Jenkins and his crew have the top-of-the-line equipment and knowledge for optical care! I would highly recommend them. Top notch cornea specialist who answered every question I had with patience and positivity."
    Anonymous
  • "My cornea surgery and office visits have been nothing but awesome!! Thank you Dr. Springs!"
    Karen T
  • "Had my annual visit today with Dr. Jenkins. I have been seeing him for several years before and after my corneal transplant. Dr. Jenkins explained everything that he was doing and the status of all the areas he checked. I have had several major issues and have seen plenty of eye doctors over the past 25 years. Dr. Jenkins is by far the best."
    William H
  • "No other eye care center could help me with my dry eyes. They are compassionate and their knowledge level is superior!"
    Jamie K.
  • "Dr Jenkins is wonderful! He is very caring and has worked very hard to improve my dry eye condition using several different treatments never suggested by any other opthamologist. My eyes are so much more comfortable now that I am now able to drive comfortably again and my vision has improved greatly."
    Sherry J.
  • "After suffering with very bad dry eye for over 2 years and went to 3 other doctors, someone suggested Dr, Jenkins highly. After trying one thing for 2-3 months & no change he suggested tear plugs. Oh my gosh!! My life changed from being miserable everyday and constantly putting drops in my eyes to relief!!"
    Kathi I.
  • "Staff is friendly and the doc is knowledgeable about concerns regarding dry eye. He gave me a prescription that will help ease the dry eye symptoms."
    Jinnie C.
  • "My exam was to determine if I had a problem other than dry eye.He was very nice and luckily I only have dry eye. He recommended a different over the counter eye that has help a lot!"
    Carla
  • "Dr. Jenkins was excellent! He is very caring and listens to me. I am so excited that I finally found a dry eye doctor who truly knowledgeable about the disease of dry eye. eye and tries to fix the issue. After going to several eye doctors who just keep giving me eye drops that don't work, I finally have some hope!"
    Tina D.
  • "Dr explained what he was seeing in my eyes. He explained what the best medicine was for dry eyes. He was thorough and easy to speak with."
    Roberta S
  • "I would have given 6 stars if possible. Dr. Orban was fantastic. She started asking questions from the beginning about my symptoms. She then offered possible causes and solutions. I would recommend her to anyone suffering from dry eyes."
    Keith & Angie C.
  • "Dr Jenkins is very kind & explains everything & answers all my questions. I am very glad he is my Dr taking whatever time is necessary. I would recommend him to everyone. "
    Donna M.
  • "Dr Jenkins has been treating me since 2015. I have every confidence in his proficiency! He invites my participation in conversations about my eye care. He is calming and mild mannered, yet he is complete in explaining my eye issues and needs. I never feel rushed. "
    Dave H.
  • "I saw Dr. Jenkins for a two month follow up on an aggravating and painful eye condition I had suffered with for over a year until he began treatment in which I am over completely and most grateful! I was referred to him by another provider and will refer Dr. Jenkins to everyone I know! His knowledge and personality are top notch! So are his staff! Thank you again WEA and Dr. Jenkins! "
    Sheila Y.
  • "I saw Dr Jenkins and his assistants they were all quite friendly and very professional. I definitely enjoyed the appointment and was extremely satisfied. Great practice. "
    Nancy H.
  • "Back in July and November of 2019 I had two corneal transplants at Duke University Hosp. Since then, I've needed follow up appointments but have been seen here at Wilmington Eye and the professionalism that I received here locally was second to none..."
    Richard B.
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