Improving vision after a corneal scar

The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped surface at the front of the eye that helps focus light. When the cornea is injured or inflamed, it may heal with scarring. Corneal scars can reduce clarity, distort vision, and cause glare or ghosting – especially if the central visual axis is affected.

At the ELZA Institute, we offer advanced diagnostic tools and customized treatment plans to help improve vision in patients affected by corneal scarring.

What Causes Corneal Scarring?

Corneal scarring can result from:

Infections (such as bacterial, fungal, or viral keratitis)
Injuries or trauma (including foreign body injuries and chemical burns)
Past eye surgeries
Chronic inflammation or severe dry eye
Congenital or degenerative corneal diseases

Scars may appear white or gray and can range from subtle opacities to dense, visually significant lesions.

How Can Corneal Scars Affect Vision?

Scarring can cause:

Blurry or hazy vision
Increased sensitivity to light (photophobia)
Ghosting, glare, or halos
Reduced contrast or sharpness

The extent to which a scar affects vision depends on its size, depth, and location. Scars that involve the visual axis – the central part of the cornea – are more likely to impact daily functioning.

Treatment Options at ELZA

Treatment depends on the severity and location of the scarring. At ELZA, we evaluate each case individually and may recommend one or more of the following options:

Phototherapeutic Keratectomy (PTK)

PTK uses an excimer laser to remove superficial corneal scar tissue. This can help restore surface smoothness and improve visual clarity in selected cases. PTK is a precise, minimally invasive procedure typically used for surface-level scarring.

Customized Topography-Guided Treatment

For irregular scars that distort the shape of the cornea, we may use topography-guided excimer laser treatments to regularize the surface. This approach can improve optical quality and reduce visual distortion in select cases.

Advanced Contact Lenses

If surgery is not suitable, specialty contact lenses (such as scleral lenses) can help mask the irregular surface and improve visual function by creating a smooth optical surface over the scarred cornea.

Corneal Transplantation

In cases of deep or dense scarring that cannot be corrected with laser treatment or lenses, partial or full-thickness corneal transplantation may be considered.

What to Expect

We begin with a thorough assessment using high-resolution corneal imaging to determine the location, depth, and impact of the scar. Based on this evaluation, we provide a personalized treatment plan and guide you through your options, including potential benefits and risks.

Restoring Vision, One Layer at a Time

Corneal scars do not always require treatment – but if your vision is significantly affected, there are effective options. At ELZA, we focus on preserving and restoring visual quality using state-of-the-art technologies and individualized care.

If you’ve experienced vision changes following an eye injury, infection, or previous surgery, we’re here to help evaluate your options for clearer sight.

Operated by us

A 19-year-old patient who showed a corneal scar after fungal infection. The scar caused both a cloudiness and a very irregular cornea. The best corrected visual acuity was 40%. After reconstructive laser surgery, the vision was 80% and the cornea was much more symmetrical.