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What Is a Corneal Transplant?


A corneal transplant, also called keratoplasty, involves replacing a portion of a damaged cornea with corneal tissue from a donor.

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A corneal transplant is needed for the following reasons and more: 

  • Eye infections or injuries that cause scarring on the cornea
  • Keratoconus – an eye disease that causes the cornea to bulge
  • Fuch’s dystrophy – an inherited condition
  • Corneal edema or swelling
  • Rare complications from LASIK or cataract surgery

After an eye exam and a consultation, your eye doctor will decide whether keratoplasty is the right choice, and if so, which surgery is right for you. There are two main types of corneal transplant surgery:

  • Traditional corneal transplant (penetrating keratoplasty)
  • Endothelial keratoplasty

Penetrating keratoplasty removes a button-shaped section from the patient’s cornea and replaces it with donor tissue, fastening it with sutures. Endothelial keratoplasty is performed when the endothelium, which regulates fluid in the eye, is damaged. The eye doctor makes an incision in the endothelium and inserts donor tissue. The incision will heal on its own. 

It may take up to a year to recover fully from a corneal transplant, but some patients can resume some activities or work within a week. Patients wear eye patches in the days after the surgery, and for the first few weeks, are instructed to avoid heavy lifting or strenuous exercise. Patients will be given steroid eye drops to promote healing, as well as other medications. 

In 5% to 30% of cases, the patient’s cornea may reject the donor tissue. However, if the rejection is caught early and promptly treated with medication, there is a very good chance that the cornea will accept the donor tissue.   

If you would like to know more about corneal transplant, schedule an eye exam with Opthalmology Doctor Name at Opthalmology Practice Name in LOCATION1 to learn if surgery is the best option for you. 

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