Corneal Treatments

At Chicago Cornea Consultants, we do more than just treat vision impairment. We offer comprehensive eye care services in multiple offices throughout the Chicago area, including Highland Park, Crystal Lake, and Hoffman Estates.

Keratoconus Surgery Corneal Cross-Linking (CXL) Corneal Cross-Linking Patient FAQ Corneal Transplant Surgery Lipiflow

Quality Care

Cornea and external disease examinations allow us to diagnose and monitor conditions such as keratoconus and post-LASIK corneal ectasia so that appropriate treatment can be administered. It is our goal to provide each patient with quality care using the most advanced technology and treatments.

Trust your vision to our board-certified eye care specialists – Chicago Cornea Consultants

Since 1986, Chicago Cornea Consultants has been providing outstanding eye care in the Midwest, relying on the most advanced industry technology to deliver successful, customized outcomes. We envision a bright future for every patient, where clear vision helps them to not only complete daily tasks with greater ease and comfort but where they can once again form meaningful memories with their loved ones, friends, and families. After treatment, many of our patients resume their most cherished hobbies, such as playing golf, going to the movies, skiing, or solving puzzles with their little ones.

Our six board-certified ophthalmologists have received extensive fellowship training that they now share around the globe, educating the physicians of tomorrow in their innovative approach. They are frequently featured in magazines, newspapers, podcasts, and journals and have been named Chicago Magazine’s “Top Doctors in Chicago” and Newsweek America’s “Best Ophthalmologists.”

Corneal cross-linking (CXL)

Chicago Cornea Consultants has provided cutting-edge CXL to patients since 2010 and has performed more of these procedures than any other practice in the metro Chicago area. We receive referrals for CXL from throughout the Midwest and beyond.

Corneal Cross-Linking is a revolutionary solution for addressing an abnormally shaped cornea, the window of the eye that controls many aspects of vision. With diseases such as keratoconus and post-LASIK corneal ectasia, the cornea may thin and take on a cone-like shape.

CXL is an excellent treatment that can help prevent further compromise and eliminate the need for corneal transplants at a later stage. During this in-office procedure, Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) and Ultraviolet (UV) light create cross-links between the cornea’s collagen fibers, strengthening the tissue to make it less likely to further contort.

Epithelium-ON CXL

“Epithelium-ON,” or “trans-epithelial” CXL, is available to some patients as an “off-label” treatment for keratoconus or corneal ectasia. Our board-certified team at Chicago Cornea Consultants has successfully performed “epithelium-ON” CXL for over 1000 patients as part of the “CXL-USA” clinical trial from 2010-19, with incredible results. Advantages of this approach include the ability to perform the procedure on both eyes simultaneously, faster visual recovery, and decreased risk of discomfort, scarring, and infection.

Corneal transplant surgery

The curved cornea functions as a type of camera lens for the eye, bending light so that it lands precisely on the retina. If the cornea’s function is compromised, a cornea transplant surgery may become necessary.

Our experienced team at Chicago Cornea Consultants is able to offer selected patients the endothelial keratoplasty procedure (also known as DSAEK or DSEK), which has been known to lead to rapid rehabilitation, less astigmatism, and lower risks than traditional keratoplasty.

INTACS corneal implants

INTACS are innovative prescription inserts engineered to reshape the cornea for patients suffering from keratoconus. INTACS can delay or eradicate the need for corneal transplant surgery, lowering the risk of side effects and complications for patients. INTACS are placed in the periphery of the cornea, restoring its natural dome-like contour. There is no removal of corneal tissue as is common with transplant surgery.