Ihre Augenärzte: we see youBook an appointment
Stabilising the cornea and supporting healing

Outpatient corneal surgery

The cornea is the clear window at the front of the eye and is essential for sharp vision. Instability, injury or lasting clouding can cause pain, sensitivity to light and a marked loss of vision. We treat selected corneal conditions on an outpatient basis and monitor healing closely.

Dr. med. Claudia Mahraun, F.E.B.O.
Your specialist for corneal conditions

Dr. med. Claudia Mahraun, F.E.B.O.

Dr. Mahraun leads our team’s work on corneal conditions, particularly outpatient corneal surgery. She guides patients through careful diagnosis, individual treatment planning, the procedure itself and follow-up care.

Her surgical work includes corneal cross-linking for progressive keratoconus, corneal abrasion procedures for selected surface conditions and suture-free amniotic membrane treatment. She tailors each treatment to the examination findings and the patient’s needs.

Our medical team
The treatments we offer

Not every cornea disease needs the same procedure.

The cornea focuses a large proportion of the light entering the eye. Even small irregularities can noticeably affect the quality of vision. Its surface is also very sensitive to pain, so a superficial injury can cause severe discomfort.

We offer three different outpatient treatment approaches: Corneal Crosslinking to stabilize a progressive keratoconus, which corneal surface debridement with selected superficial changes and the sutureless amniotic membrane treatment to support difficult healing processes.

The right treatment depends on the cause, depth, location and activity of the changes. Surgery is often preceded by non-surgical treatment with artificial tears, ointments, anti-inflammatory medicines or antimicrobial medicines.

Explore the procedure Request an examination
Three targeted procedures

How we treat the cornea.

The procedures have different aims: stabilising tissue, removing diseased surface tissue or protecting and supporting healing.

Stabilising keratoconus

Corneal Crosslinking

What is keratoconus?

Keratoconus causes the cornea to become progressively thinner and bulge forwards unevenly. This can lead to irregular astigmatism, distorted or fluctuating vision, doubled outlines and greater sensitivity to glare. Both eyes are often affected to different degrees.

What does crosslinking do?

Riboflavin (vitamin B2) and carefully controlled UVA light create additional bonds within the corneal tissue, increasing its mechanical strength. The main aim is to slow or stop further changes in corneal shape. An improvement in visual acuity cannot be guaranteed.

Who is it for?

It is mainly intended for people with confirmed progressive keratoconus or another suitable form of corneal ectasia. We compare changes in corneal shape, curvature, thickness and vision over time. A very thin cornea, extensive scarring, active inflammation or impaired healing requires particularly careful assessment and may call for a different treatment.

What happens during the procedure?

For the established epi-off procedure, anaesthetic eye drops are given and the outermost cell layer is carefully removed. Riboflavin is applied to the cornea, which is then exposed to a controlled dose of UVA light. A bandage contact lens is usually fitted to protect the new surface.

Good to know

Pain, a feeling of something in the eye, watering, light sensitivity and blurred vision are common during the first few days. The surface usually heals within a few days, but full stabilisation and assessment take considerably longer. You may still need glasses or contact lenses.

Renew the surface

corneal surface debridement

When do we treat it?

Corneal abrasion treatment may help with recurrent erosions when the surface cells do not adhere firmly to the layer beneath and non-surgical measures are insufficient. Typical symptoms include sudden severe pain on waking, watering, light sensitivity and episodes of blurred vision. Certain superficial opacities or deposits can also be treated this way.

What happens during the procedure?

Under local anaesthetic, we carefully remove the damaged or poorly attached surface layer. Healthy cells can then form a smoother, more stable surface. Depending on the findings, we may also smooth the uppermost layer of the cornea.

What about band keratopathy?

In this condition, calcium salts collect on the surface of the cornea. If they affect the line of sight or cause discomfort, they may be removed mechanically after a thorough assessment, sometimes with a special EDTA solution to dissolve them. The cause of the deposits must also be considered.

How does the surface heal?

A soft bandage contact lens is usually fitted. Prescribed drops help prevent infection, reduce inflammation and support healing. Pain and blurred vision may persist until the surface has closed. Even after successful treatment, erosions or deposits can return.

Purpose of treatment

The aim is a stable, smoother corneal surface, fewer episodes of pain and better vision where superficial opacities affect sight. The outcome depends on how deep the changes extend.

Supporting recovery

Sutureless amniotic membrane treatment

What is an amniotic membrane?

The amniotic membrane is a very thin layer of tissue from a donated placenta, carefully processed and checked before use. In eye care, it provides a biological surface that protects tissue and supports healing. It helps the surface of the cornea regenerate and may reduce inflammation and scarring.

When do we use them?

Examples include persistent epithelial defects, severe surface injuries, sterile corneal ulcers and other serious disorders of the eye’s surface. Treating the underlying cause at the same time is essential, whether that is dryness, inflammation, infection, incomplete eyelid closure or reduced corneal sensation.

How does sutureless treatment work?

The membrane is placed directly over the affected cornea and held in place without surgical stitches. It acts temporarily as a biological dressing. The system we use and how long it stays on the eye depend on the condition being treated and how healing progresses.

What can the treatment do?

It can relieve pain, protect the sensitive surface and help the epithelium heal. It does not replace healthy corneal tissue or guarantee complete healing. Deep defects, infections or a risk of corneal perforation may require additional or more urgent treatment.

During treatment

The membrane and its holder may temporarily blur vision substantially. Close follow-up checks whether the defect is shrinking, the membrane is positioned correctly and the underlying condition is adequately treated.

Diagnosis before treatment

We treat the condition and its underlying cause.

A detailed examination determines whether surgery is needed and which procedure offers the best chance of stabilisation or healing.

Vision and medical history

We ask about symptoms, injuries, operations, contact lenses, drops and the condition’s history. Vision and prescription tests show how much sight is affected.

Slit-lamp examination

Under the microscope, we assess the corneal surface, clouding, scars, inflammation and the depth of any change. Fluorescein makes even small defects visible.

Corneal measurement

Topography or tomography maps corneal shape and curvature. Pachymetry measures thickness, particularly important in keratoconus and before cross-linking.

Individual treatment plan

We assess whether drops, ointment or a bandage lens are sufficient, or an outpatient procedure would help. We discuss benefits, limits, alternatives and aftercare personally.

After the procedure

Healing requires protection and follow-up checks.

After corneal treatment, we give you a personal schedule for eye drops and follow-up appointments. Do not rub your eye, and use medicines exactly as discussed. Until the surface has fully closed, keep water, make-up and dirt out of the eye. Avoid swimming, saunas, contact sports and wearing your own contact lenses for as long as we advise.

Do not remove or reinsert a bandage contact lens yourself. Follow-up appointments remain important even when symptoms improve. After cross-linking, we also monitor the cornea over the longer term with repeated measurements.

Please seek assessment immediately

Worsening pain, increasing redness, discharge containing pus or a sudden deterioration in vision may be signs of a complication. Contact us immediately, or an emergency eye care service if we are unavailable.

Benefits, limits & risks

What to know before you decide.

No procedure is risk-free. We discuss risks according to your diagnosis, the method and your eye’s condition before treatment.

Temporary symptoms

  • Pain, burning or feeling a foreign body
  • Light sensitivity and watering eyes
  • blurred or fluctuating vision
  • Redness and delayed surface healing

Possible complications

  • Infection or sterile inflammatory reaction
  • Corneal opacity or scarring
  • Further erosion, deposits or progression of the condition
  • rarely, a permanent reduction in best-corrected visual acuity

Why follow-up care matters

  • early detection of wound healing disorder
  • Checking a bandage contact lens or amniotic membrane
  • Adjustment of eye drops and ocular surface treatment
  • Long-term measurements after crosslinking
Frequently asked questions

Guidance prior to the examination.

These answers offer a general overview. A personal recommendation requires a full examination.

Does crosslinking automatically improve my visual acuity?

The main aim is to stop progressive changes in the shape of the cornea. Your visual acuity may change or improve over time, but improvement cannot be promised. You may still need glasses or rigid contact lenses.

Why is the corneal surface removed during crosslinking?

In the established epi-off procedure, the surface cell layer is temporarily removed so riboflavin can enter the cornea evenly. A bandage contact lens usually protects the surface while it regrows.

Is corneal surface debridement the same as eye lasers?

No. Abrasion removes diseased or poorly attached surface tissue to help healing or clear superficial deposits. It is not the usual treatment for correcting a prescription.

Can corneal erosion come back?

Yes. Recurrence is possible because the underlying adhesion problem or disease may remain. Careful aftercare of the eye’s surface helps reduce that risk.

What is an amniotic membrane?

It comes from carefully processed and checked human placental tissue. As a biological protective layer, it can support corneal surface regeneration and reduce inflammation.

How is the sutureless amniotic membrane applied?

The membrane is placed on the affected cornea and held without stitches. The system and duration depend on the type and extent of the defect. Vision may be temporarily blurred while it is in place.

When should I seek immediate advice after a procedure?

Contact us immediately if you develop worsening pain, increasing redness, discharge containing pus or a sudden change in vision, or if your bandage contact lens or membrane carrier comes loose. Outside our opening hours, contact an emergency eye care service.

Medical basics

Further clinical information.

This page draws on clinical guidelines and scientific reviews. The exact procedure may vary with the condition, method and individual findings.

Medical note

This page cannot replace diagnosis, an eye examination or a personal explanation of the risks. Sudden severe eye pain, an acute loss of vision or an eye injury needs immediate assessment.

Appointments

We take time to care for your eyes.

Book online, or contact a practice by phone or email using the details on our locations page.

Book an appointment online