The Cornea, External Disease and Refractive Surgery Division is internationally acclaimed and boasts an impressive research program, a comprehensive fellowship training program, and unrivaled clinical and surgical care to more than 36,000 patients a year. The Duke Cornea Division represents the largest tertiary referral center for corneal and anterior segment disease in North Carolina and the Southeast region.
Led by Melissa Daluvoy, MD, the award-winning team of 10 board-certified cornea specialists and one optometrist evaluate and treat the full range of corneal and anterior segment disorders and diseases using state-of-the-art equipment and technology.
Mission
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Provide the best possible care for individuals experiencing visual impairment due to structural changes or anomalies of the anterior segment.
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Discover important new knowledge about causes, mechanisms, diagnosis and treatment of corneal and ocular surface, dry eye and refractive errors
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Translate research innovations into new care modalities
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Train future cornea leaders in the medical and surgical management of cornea, external disease
Highlights
Pre-clinical and Clinical Research
Participated or led several recent Principal Investigator-initiated and industry-initiated clinical trials have resulted in the introduction of new medications and therapeutics to patients.
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new medications for dry eye disease
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serum tears for GVHD
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next generation OCT guided ophthalmic surgery
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corneal neurotization
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acyclovir for zoster eye disease
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genetic testing for corneal disorders
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ocular tumor registry
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multiphoton imaging of conjunctival lesions
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epigenetics of ocular tumors
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immune contribution to MGD
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dendritic cells and retinoic acid in conjunctival scarring
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macrophages in maintenance of corneal nerve physiology
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innate lymphoid cell network in ocular surface tissues
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Esteemed fellowship program for more than 40 years
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Highly-challenging and deeply-rewarding environment for the medical school students, residents, and fellows
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Graduates of this program have become leaders in academic and private medicine worldwide. With a focus on in depth clinical and surgical training,
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Duke fellowship trained sub-specialists receive intense medical training
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Clinical and surgical rotations with Duke Cornea specialists at the main Duke Eye Center and at our satellite locations
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A specific learning track at Miracles in Sight Eye Bank
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Cornea Fellowship is registered with the Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology (AUPO) fellowship compliance program and meets guidelines set forth by the AUPO fellowship compliance committee.
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Active in education on a local, national and international level, leading and organizing meetings at the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS), and other prominent national and international conferences.
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Cornea fellows lead monthly Cornea Conferences by presenting case presentations on various aspects of corneal disease.
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Hosts a regular Journal Club led by the Cornea faculty to discuss advanced clinical cases
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Holds an annual “Controversies in Cornea and Cataract Surgery” conference, featuring prominent visiting guest faculty from around the country
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Diseases and disorders of the cornea and anterior segment such as cataracts; refractive errors (e.g., myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism)
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Utilize noninvasive diagnostic imaging modalities to accurately diagnose conditions affecting the cornea and employ a wide range of cutting-edge treatments and surgical interventions.
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Cataract surgery using advanced laser surgery technology and advanced intraocular lenses for astigmatism and presbyopia correction
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Refractive surgery (PRK, LASIK, INTACs, implantable collamer lenses, and corneal crosslinking).
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Corneal degenerations and dystrophies (e.g. keratoconus and Fuchs’ dystrophy)
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Corneal inflammation, scarring and ulcers
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Dry eye, blepharitis, and meibomian gland dysfunction; and complex ocular surface disorders (e.g., limbal stem cell deficiency, ocular cicatricial pemphigoid, and ocular graft vs. host disease)
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Medical and surgical therapies include advanced corneal transplantation (DMEK, DSAEK, DALK, PKP, and Boston keratoprosthesis type 1)
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Intraocular lens exchange, anterior segment reconstruction
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Cornea collagen crosslinking
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Scleral contact lens fitting and autologous serum and platelet-enriched plasma eye drops (for severe dry eyes),
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Tumor excisions, limbal stem cell transplants
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Ocular surface reconstruction (for ocular surface disease and tumors)