Introduction to Corneal Transplant Surgery
There's good news for individuals who have suffered corneal damage and want to improve their vision! Corneal transplant surgery has become easier and faster, and it has become one of the most common and successful organ transplant procedures.
Corneal transplant, also known as corneal grafting, refers to the surgical intervention aimed at removing part or all of the cornea and replacing it with healthy tissue from another donor. The cornea refers to the front part of the eye that allows light to pass through.
Interestingly, eye surgeons have been performing this procedure for 100 years, so it is certainly not a new innovation by any means.
Types of corneal transplantation include penetrating keratoplasty (PK), deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK), and endothelial keratoplasty (EK). Your doctor will choose the appropriate type for your condition based on the damaged part of your cornea.
Benefits of Corneal Transplantation
- Restore your vision and ability to see bright lights clearly.
- Reduce the level of eye pain caused by corneal damage or disease.
- Add further improvements to the appearance of the damaged cornea.
- Treat various eye diseases such as keratoconus and corneal ulcers.
- Get a highly successful transplant operation.
Suitable Categories for Corneal Transplantation
Ophthalmologists often suggest corneal transplantation for individuals experiencing eye problems such as:
- Hereditary or genetic eye diseases such as keratoconus or Fuchs' dystrophy.
- Scarring of the cornea due to infection or injury.
- Corneal clouding or swelling.
- Corneal ulcers.
- Keratoconus.
Risks of Corneal Transplantation
Corneal transplantation is a safe procedure, but it still carries some potential risks and side effects. For example, rejection of the transplanted cornea can occur in 1 out of 10 patients. This happens when your immune system attacks the donated cornea. Other potential side effects include:
- Corneal bleeding, inflammation, or swelling.
- Glaucoma or clouding of the eye lens.
- Leakage of fluids from the cornea.
- Visual acuity problems.
- Corneal detachment.
- Retinal detachment.
