Cornea transplant

Cornea transplant, also known as keratoplasty, is a surgical procedure where a damaged or diseased cornea is replaced with a healthy donor cornea tissue. The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped surface that covers the front of the eye and plays a key role in focusing vision. Cornea transplants are performed to restore vision, reduce pain, and improve the appearance of a damaged or diseased cornea.

Types of Cornea Transplants

There are several types of cornea transplants, including:

• Penetrating Keratoplasty (PK): This involves replacing the entire cornea with a donor cornea.
• Lamellar Keratoplasty: Only layers of the cornea are replaced, rather than the entire cornea. This category includes:
  • Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty (ALK): Replaces the front layers of the cornea.
  • Endothelial Keratoplasty (EK): Replaces the innermost layer of the cornea. Types of EK include Descemet's Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSAEK) and Descemet's Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK).

Indications for Cornea Transplant

Cornea transplants are recommended for individuals with:

• Corneal scarring, from infections such as keratitis or injuries
• Keratoconus, a condition where the cornea thins and bulges outward
• Corneal dystrophies, including Fuchs' dystrophy
• Clouding or swelling of the cornea
• Complications from previous eye surgeries

Procedure

The procedure for a cornea transplant varies depending on the type of transplant. Generally, it involves the following steps:

1. The patient is given local or general anesthesia. 2. The surgeon removes the damaged or diseased portion of the cornea. 3. The donor cornea, cut to fit, is placed in the opening. 4. The new cornea is sutured into place.

The surgery typically lasts one to two hours.

Postoperative Care

After a cornea transplant, patients may need to:

• Use eye drops to prevent infection and rejection of the donor cornea
• Wear an eye patch or protective shield to help the healing process
• Attend regular follow-up appointments with their eye doctor

Risks and Complications

While cornea transplants have a high success rate, there are potential risks and complications, including:

• Rejection of the donor cornea
• Infection
• Issues with sutures
• Eye pressure problems, which could lead to glaucoma
• Astigmatism or other vision issues

Outcomes

The outcome of a cornea transplant depends on the reason for the surgery and the patient's overall health. Many patients experience significant improvements in vision, but it may take up to a year to achieve the best vision results.

Conclusion

Cornea transplant is a vital procedure for individuals with severe corneal damage or disease. Advances in surgical techniques continue to improve the success rates and outcomes for patients undergoing this life-changing surgery.

Resources

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Source: Data courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Since the data might have changed, please query MeSH on Cornea transplant for any updates.

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