Fever Blisters in the Eye

My mom had cataract surgery about 4 years ago and developed a fever blister in her eye. This damaged her cornea, with the result that she has blurry vision in the eye, ranging from mild to severe, depending on how much eye strain she's had during the day. She is 70 and is otherwise in perfectly good health. Is there a procedure that can help correct the cornea, or is a cornea transplant the only option?

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

If the virus infection is inactive, and if the scars on the cornea are very superficail then a eximer laser PRK might work, otherwise it may require a partial thickness lamellar keratectomy or a full thickness penetrating corneal transplant.

See a cornea Eye MD.

JCH MD

[Blu3s]

Thank you very much. It helps to know that there will be other options available since the one doctor told us that the only option is a corneal transplant. We'll definitely be going for a second opinion in the new year.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Be sure you see a fellowship trained cornea surgeon. JCH MD