Artificial Cornea Implanted

A UW eye surgeon performed the Pacific Northwest's first artificial cornea implant June 9 at UW Medical Center-Roosevelt.

Dr. Tueng Shen, assistant professor of ophthalmology and director of the UWMC Refractive Surgery Center, performed the procedure on the patient, Joe Vallejo of Moses Lake, Wash. Vallejo suffered cornea damage during a job accident. He had previously undergone several unsuccessful cornea transplants with donor tissue.

Dr. Shen during surgery.

Shen implanted a plastic keratoprosthesis, which was developed at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary in Boston to restore the vision of a patient with a severely damaged cornea.

Before the surgery, Vallejo could see changes in room light. After the surgery, his vision improved enough that he could see hand motion. Further diagnosis is required to determine if other parts of his eye, such as the retina or the optic nerve, are damaged and will also need to be surgically repaired.

Shen said the artificial cornea implants procedure is most effective with patients whose eye damage is limited to the cornea.

The Refractive Surgery Center uses such methods as laser surgery and computerized corneal topography to treat vision disorders, and is also a research site for advancing the field of refractive surgery. Shen, who joined the UW faculty in 2003, specializes in refractive surgery, medical and surgical management of corneal disorders, and cataract surgeries.

Patient Joe Vallejo answers questions from the media prior to surgery.

Dr. Shen holds up the holds up the tiny, plastic button-like keratoprosthesis