The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped tissue at the front of the eye, overlying the pupil. Its primary function is to focus light onto the retina in the back of the eye which in return allows for us to see. When corneal clarity is lost due to disease, deformity, or injury, vision may be distorted, blurred or lost. Corneal infections, scars, degenerations, and birth defects may result in poor vision which may not be corrected with glasses or contact lenses.
Bowden Eye & Associates have provided state-of-the-art diagnostic technology and surgical management of a wide variety of corneal disorders for the past 25 years in Northeast Florida and South Georgia with offices in Jacksonville and St. Johns County. Since a healthy cornea is required for quality vision, it is important to seek the care of an experienced corneal specialist for vision-threatening disorders of the cornea.
The cornea is surprisingly resilient but is still susceptible to many different conditions. Common corneal conditions include:
Corneal abrasion: Contact lens(soft, RGP, Scleral), Cross-linking, Corneal Inlays- (CTAK, INTACS), Implantable Lens Implants (EVO-ICL).
Recurrent Corneal Erosions: Contact Lens, Excimer PTK, Amniotic Membrane, Medications.
Corneal Dystrophies: Superficial Keratectomy, Partial Thickness Keratoplasty (DSAEK, DMEK, DALK), Penetrating Keratoplasty (FLEK), Arcuate Keratotomy.
Dry Eye Disease: Punctal Occlusion, Neurostimulation, Immunomodulation, Thermopulsation, Lid Margin Exfoliation, Demodex Treatment, Red Light Therapy, IPL, Medication
Corneal Scars: Contact Lens, Lamellar Keratoplasty, Penetrating Keratoplasty.
Keratoconus is a progressive eye disorder in which the normally round, dome-shaped cornea (the clear front surface of the eye) becomes thin and gradually bulges outward into a cone-like shape. This irregular shape prevents light from being focused correctly on the retina, leading to:
Key Facts:
This photochemical corneal treatment is designed to strengthen the weakened cornea present in keratoconus and corneal ectasia. This treatment has been proven to halt progressive corneal deformity of keratoconus which often results in the need for corneal transplantation.
Keratoplasty involves the transplantation of healthy, clear, donor corneal tissue to replace a diseased layer of the cornea or the full thickness of the cornea to restore functional vision.
Corneal inlays are designed to improve the corneal shape deformity of advanced keratoconus to improve functional vision. Both plastic (INTACS) and donor cornea (CTAK) methods are available as selected by your Bowden Eye Surgeon.
Refractive surgery involves an array of surgical procedures which are designed to change the prescription of the eye by laser remodeling of the corneal surface, insertion of corneal ring segments, or replacing the crystalline lens within the eye. This is to enable the patient to have functional vision without glasses or contact lenses. Laser vision correction of the cornea may correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Refractive lens exchange may be performed in selected cases for vision correction by removal of the crystalline lens or cataract and replacement with a lens implant which provides the patient with a range of clear vision. The goal is to decrease your dependency on glasses or contact lenses. Your surgeon will make the determination of the safest and most effective option following a detailed examination.
LASIK employs two specialized lasers. The femtosecond laser creates a partial thickness corneal to expose the corneal bed. The excimer laser then remodels the corneal bed to correct the nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. The flap is then replaced to restore the corneal surface.
Refractive lens exchange with a light adjustable lens may be performed in an outpatient surgery suite. The clear lens is removed by a laser assisted technique followed by the insertion of a unique intraocular lens which may have power adjustments with an external UV light device in the clinic within the weeks after the surgery. This permits patient directed customization of the final prescription. When a cataract or cloudy lens is present, this technique is referred to as refractive cataract surgery.
During the cataract surgery procedure, our surgeons replace the natural lens with what is referred to as an IOL, or an intraocular lens. This is where the patient has several choices to make on which lens is best for their lifestyle.
One option is the innovative Light Adjustable Lens. This lens is the first lens that allows you to customize your vision through a series of non-invasive light treatments that take only a few minutes each. You may need 3 to 5 total light treatments over a period of 1 to 2 weeks to reach your vision goals. Once your vision is adjusted, a final light treatment is used to lock in the results.
The Implantable Collamer Lens is a wafer thin refractive lens which may be surgically implanted between the iris and the clear lens within the eye to correct nearsightedness, particularly in patients who are not candidates of LASIK surgery.
Dr. Frank W. Bowden is a Board Certified Ophthalmic Surgeon and founder of Bowden Eye & Associates, which is an integrated eye care practice composed of Ophthalmologists and Optometrists. He is a fellowship-trained corneal and external disease specialist who has been trained at the U.S. Naval Hospital, San Diego, and Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia. He has been in private practice for 37 years providing premium cataract surgery, refractive surgery, glaucoma surgery, and corneal surgery along with comprehensive dry eye care. He has received distinguished service medals in the U.S. Navy along with numerous recognitions among physicians in the Jacksonville community. He has been the Ophthalmology consultant and surgeon for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the NFL for 23 years. His current passion involves innovative anterior segment eye surgery and dry eye management. When not caring for patients, Dr. Bowden leads an active lifestyle playing tennis, traveling with family, sharing his clinical experiences with colleagues, and supporting the beloved University of Tennessee sports teams as well as the Jacksonville Jaguars of the NFL.
At Bowden Eye & Associates, you get the best of everything. Our multiple locations make it convenient for you to see an eye doctor, and our Jacksonville vision centers feature state-of-the-art technology and treatments that you simply can't find at most area practices. We have not 1 but 2 fellowship-trained cornea and external disease specialists on staff to ensure you receive the best care. No matter what you're here for, our friendly, professional staff gives you the attention and care you deserve so that you'll feel supported before, during, and after your visit.
