Eyecare Medical Group  |  53 Sewall St, Portland, ME 04102 207-828-2020

Cornea & External Disease

Fellowship-trained corneal specialist offering comprehensive diagnosis and surgical care.

Common corneal conditions chart

About the Cornea

The cornea is the eye's outermost layer — a transparent, dome-shaped surface that covers and protects the eye. It acts like a window, allowing images to enter the eye and helping focus them on the retina at the back.

Corneal health is critical to overall eye health and visual function. Even minor corneal problems can significantly impact quality of vision.

As a fellowship-trained cornea specialist, Dr. Shah offers comprehensive evaluation and treatment for a full range of corneal conditions — from common to complex.

Keratoconus

Keratoconus is a progressive condition in which the cornea thins and takes on a cone-like shape, causing significant visual distortion. It typically appears in the teens or twenties and can worsen over time.

Dr. Shah treats keratoconus using scleral contact lenses and collagen crosslinking — a procedure he has investigated in FDA clinical trials.

  • Scleral contact lenses for vision correction
  • Corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL) to halt progression
  • Corneal transplantation for advanced cases
Keratoconus diagram Keratoconus treatment
Pterygium of the eye Pterygium removal

Pterygium

A pterygium is a growth of tissue on the surface of the eye that can cause irritation, redness, and in advanced cases, visual distortion. It is often associated with UV exposure.

When symptomatic or vision-threatening, Dr. Shah performs pterygium removal as an outpatient procedure using techniques designed to minimize recurrence.

  • Outpatient surgical removal
  • Conjunctival autograft to reduce recurrence
  • Post-operative drops to promote healing

Corneal Transplantation

For patients with advanced corneal disease including Fuchs' dystrophy, severe keratoconus, or corneal scarring, transplantation may restore vision when other treatments are insufficient.

  • Full-thickness (PK): Complete replacement of the cornea
  • DSEK: Partial-thickness technique replacing only the diseased inner layer — offers faster recovery and better outcomes for Fuchs' dystrophy

Schedule a Consultation
Corneal transplant

Additional Conditions We Treat

Fuchs' Dystrophy

A genetic condition causing the inner layer of the cornea to deteriorate over time. Treatable with DSEK or full corneal transplantation.

Corneal Scarring

Scarring from prior infections, injuries, or surgery can cloud vision. Dr. Shah offers treatment options ranging from contact lenses to transplantation depending on severity.

Corneal Infections

Bacterial, viral, and fungal infections of the cornea require prompt evaluation and treatment. Dr. Shah provides expert diagnosis and management of corneal infections and ulcers.

Expert Corneal Care in Portland, ME

Schedule a consultation with fellowship-trained cornea specialist Dr. Ravi Shah.

Request an Appointment   207-828-2020