What is PROKERA®?

Living-Tissue Devices Helps Heal Wounds

At first glance, the patient pool that could benefit from this cutting-edge corneal wound-and-healing treatment might seem shallow.

But consider that a leading cause of corneal ulcers is sleeping in contact lenses - even those FDA-approved for round-the-clock wear, says Mary Davidian, M.D., founder and medical director of Highland Ophthalmology Associates in New Windsor - and that potential pool soars.

"I get some of the worst cases referred to me, caused by extremely virulent bacteria sometimes resulting in nonhealing corneal defects and significant scarring," says Davidian, a corneal specialist.

The eye's cornea, too, is sharing the new-technology spotlight with the retina.

Mary E. Davidian, M.D., a fellowship-trained cornea specialist, refractive surgeon and medical director of Highland Ophthalmology Associates in New Windsor, explains.

Just a few weeks ago, Davidian saw a patient with a disease called Fuch's corneal dystrophy. Fuch's dystrophy, in which the cornea's endothelial, or fluid-pumping, cells are damaged, is the reason for about 80 percent of all corneal transplants. It is an inherited disease.

"Cataracts are the leading cause of visual loss in Americans 65 and older," says Mary Davidian, M.D., founder and medical director of Highland Ophthalmology Associates in New Windsor.

But there's good news: Cataracts are very treatable.

To increase awareness, Highland Ophthalmology is offering free cataract screenings in its new, full-service vision center during August, which is Cataract Awareness Month.

GO Healthy asked Davidian for an overview on symptoms, causes and treatments.