What You Should Know - Cornea Doctors - Pepose Vision Institute

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FAQs

At Pepose Vision Institute, we believe that the best cornea patient is an informed cornea patient. Compare our experience, skills and service to other providers. You'll see why we're the leading cornea specialty practice in the bi-state region, and one of the premier providers in the entire United States. SO

If you want to get the best results, ask your cornea doctor if...

He's a cornea sub-specialist?	(See our answer)
Other doctors recommend him?	(See our answer)
He cares for your eyes after your cornea surgery?	(See our answer)
He'll tell you if you're NOT a good candidate for a cornea procedure?	(See our answer)
He utilizes different surgical approaches to treat various kinds of cornea damage?	(See our answer)
He uses state-of-the-art diagnostic tests to fully understand the nature and extent of your cornea problem?	(See our answer)
He's directly involved in your cornea workup and your treatment planning?	(See our answer)
He is personally involved in evaluating the source of your donor tissue before your transplant surgery?	(See our answer)
He offers the latest, safest surgical procedures to treat your cornea problem?	(See our answer)
He has contributed any advances in the field?	(See our answer)
He's available to you, even after office hours?	(See our answer)

"Bad thoughts always accompany any surgery, but Dr. Pepose was very calming and explained every step with care." -- Janie Ashcraft

He's a cornea sub-specialist?
Not all eye surgeons have this special training and experience. At PVI, your surgeon is a cornea sub-specialist, who has spent additional years training to assure that your functional vision will be preserved and restored to its fullest potential.

Other doctors recommend him?
When MDs were surveyed and asked "to whom would you refer your family members if they needed a cornea subspecialist," they have consistently answered Pepose Vision Institute, earning us recognition year after year in Best Doctors in America and America's Top Docs.

He cares for your eyes after your cornea surgery?
Some eye surgeons look at their patients as surgical "cases."   At PVI, our doctors are committed to your eyesight for a lifetime. We will vigilantly monitor your vision, because we know that patients who have been treated for corneal problems can have these same problems return later in life. Corneal transplants can "fail" years after surgery, caused by a sudden rejection of the donor tissue. We encourage our cornea patients to call us if they notice changes in their vision and to return for annual follow-up to ensure that nothing compromises their restored sight.

He'll tell you if you're NOT a good candidate for a cornea procedure?
The surgeons at Pepose Vision will only perform cornea surgery if they believe that it has a good chance of preserving or restoring your functional vision. At PVI, we are not afraid to say "no" to patients if they are not good candidates, or if they can benefit more from another treatment. If a cornea transplant patient has repeatedly rejected donor tissue, we will explore whether there are underlying factors that must be addressed before we embark on yet another transplant. Sure we could make more money by doing more surgery. But that's not what we do.

He utilizes different surgical approaches to treat various kinds of cornea damage?
Depending on the nature of your cornea problem, certain corneal procedures are better in terms of vision outcome than others. Our cornea subspecialists are at the forefront in offering their patients the newest technologies to best address their specific needs.   We know that a one-size-fits-all approach to our patients does not achieve the very best vision outcomes possible. Go to our section on Technology Leadership in Cornea Care for the full story.

He uses state-of-the-art diagnostic tests to fully understand the nature and extent of your cornea problem?
At PVI, our surgeons understand that the more information they have about the condition of your cornea and ocular structures, the more successful the treatment plan will be. State-of-the-art diagnostic instruments are very expensive. Nevertheless, we have invested in them to deliver the very best vision outcomes possible. Ask your cornea doctor if he uses a Specular Microscope to monitor the number, density, and quality of endothelial cells that line the back of your cornea. Pepose Vision Institute is one of the very few eye practices in the region to make use of this instrument to better diagnosis the reason for initial corneal failure especially when due to genetically inherited disease.

He's directly engaged in your cornea work-up and your treatment planning?
Because of the sophisticated nature of the cornea diagnostics available at PVI, our surgeons evaluate each and every test result prior to planning your treatment. They will spend time with you, answering questions about your cornea problem. Our cornea exam is extensive during which time your eyes are measured and re-measured using a variety of diagnostic tests, to ensure an exact treatment plan.

He is personally involved in evaluating the source of your donor tissue before your transplant surgery?
Dr. Jay Pepose is Medical Director for the eye tissue division of MidAmerica Transplant Association, a nonprofit organization located right here in St. Louis. In this position, Dr. Pepose is responsible for evaluating the quality and safety of donor tissue prior to its release for transplant. He goes well beyond state and federal guidelines in setting the standards for tissue that he will accept for PVI cornea patients. We will always put your safety first, even if it means rescheduling your procedure.

He offers the latest, safest surgical procedures to treat your cornea problem?
Corneal transplants have been around for a long time in fact, they remain one of the most common transplants performed. Nevertheless, there have been advances such as amniotic membrane transplants and the DSAEK procedure that may be more appropriate for addressing your specific cornea condition. Our surgeons were the first to perform an amniotic membrane transplant in the bi-state area, and remain the most experienced in this and other new, innovative cornea procedures.

He has contributed any advances in the field?
Pepose Vision Institute has earned an international reputation as a leader in new vision technologies and treatments. We are home to numerous FDA clinical trials because we are known for our meticulous diagnostic skills and patient care. Dr. Pepose has earned an international reputation for the scientific contributions he has made, which have significantly improved the safety of cornea tissue donations.

He's available to you, even after office hours? Ever try to reach your M.D. after office hours?
You want the peace of mind from knowing you can reach your cornea surgeon if you have questions or concerns, especially after surgery. This is especially important for cornea transplant patients, because tissue rejection can often be averted when it is caught at its earliest stage. At PVI, our surgeons are on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to respond to patients' concerns. You will never hear "hang up and call 911 for an emergency."

We fully appreciate that the choice of a cornea specialist is a serious one that deserves the utmost attention to detail. And attention to detail is what separates Pepose Vision Institute from all the rest.