Corneal transplant

Definition

A corneal transplant is surgery to replace the clear surface on the front of the eye (the cornea).

Description

Most corneal transplant operations are done under local anesthesia on an outpatient basis. This means that the patient is awake but an injection is given to make the eye completely numb. There is no pain.

The corneal tissue for transplantation is taken from a donor shortly after death with the permission of the next of kin. Though most transplant procedures carry the risk of rejection of the transplant tissue or organ, the cornea has very limited blood supply, which greatly reduces this risk. Most corneal transplants function extremely well for many years.

Indications

Corneal transplantation is recommended for:

• inherited corneal thinning (keratoconus) with visual distortion
• scarring of the cornea from severe infections or injuries
• inherited or acquired corneal clouding (Fuch's dystrophy) with visual loss

Risks

The risks for any anesthesia are:

• reactions to medications
• problems breathing

• bleeding, but this is a rare complication since the cornea normally has no blood vessels
• infection

Expectations after surgery

Full visual recovery takes a long time (up to a year), but most patients with successful corneal transplants will enjoy good vision for many years, or even a lifetime.

Convalescence

Follow your doctor's instructions about limited activity after surgery. Rejection of transplanted tissue may occur in a minority of patients. You must carefully follow your doctor's instructions for use of eye drops which prevent or control this.

Illustrations

Before and after corneal surgery

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