Is there a way to remove scar tissue after a chalazion?
DEC 02, 2019
Question:
About 20 years ago, I had a mild case of shingles on the right side of my face, which also involved my eye. Since then I've also had a retinal detachment (repaired), and cataract surgery. The herpes zoster scarred my cornea so that I am functionally blind without an RGP contact lens on it. Can the cornea be polished to smooth the surface back to normal?
Answer:
Corneal scarring from shingles (herpes zoster) usually causes irregular astigmatism (misshapen cornea), which can result in poor vision unless someone wears a rigid gas permeable contact lens. This scar tissue is typically deep in the cornea and is not easily removed unless one does a full thickness corneal transplant. If the scar tissue is superficial in depth, a partial thickness transplant or laser procedure (called phototherapeutic keratectomy, or PTK) can be done to remove the scar. You should ask your ophthalmologist if any of these treatment options are safe for you.