EDTA Chelation/Superficial Keratectomy
The front of the eye is covered by a clear portion called the cornea which functions as the “windshield” of the eye. The cornea needs to stay clear in order for the light to travel through it and allow us to see. Eyes with chronic inflammation may form scar tissue or deposits on the surface which limits vision (imagine a dirty windshield).
What is the goal of the surgery?
The goal of the superficial keratectomy is to smooth out the eye surface to improve comfort and potentially improve vision. It cannot fix problems and restore vision loss due to glaucoma, macular degeneration, or corneal scarring.
How is the procedure performed?
In most cases, it is possible to resurface the cornea in order to smooth it out and remove the deposits. The surgery is performed as an outpatient surgery with local anesthesia. The entire eye is anesthetized to keep it from moving, and there is no longer a need in putting patients to sleep. The procedure is typically performed in 30 minutes where the surface is polished smooth and a bandage contact lens is applied for comfort. The eye is irritated for several days and vision stays blurry for several weeks. Even with the best surgical techniques, the scar tissue and deposits tend to come back several years later since the original cause for the scarring and deposits cannot be corrected.
