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Corneal Transplantation
Why would I need a Corneal Transplant?
A corneal transplant is sometimes necessary when the
cornea is
diseased, or there is a loss in corneal transparency resulting from
swelling, scar tissue, injuries, infections, chemical burns,
congenital disease and previous cataract surgery. The operation
consists or removing the button-shaped segment of the defective
cornea and replacing it with a precise replica of donor tissue.
What are the chances for successful Keratoplasty?
There is usually an 85 percent or better successful rate in corneal
transplant cases. Factors such as
glaucoma,
retinal degeneration, or
optic nerve disease can affect a patient's final visual result even
though a successful transplant is obtained.
The operation itself is only the first stage in a rather long period
of time before the eye can be considered completely healed and free
from late complications.
The corneal transplant procedure itself usually lasts less than an
hour and is performed on an outpatient basis. Post-op visits usually
follow a one-day, one week and then monthly schedule. Patients must
wear a shield or glasses at all times to avoid accidentally rubbing,
bumping or hitting the eye. During the healing process, drops are
used to prevent the rejection of the cornea. As the eye heals, the
sutures are removed to control astigmatism, or distortion of
vision.
This starts approximately one month after surgery.
What type of vision can I expect after surgery?
Restoration of vision following surgery is always gradual. It is
very common that some eyes have good vision with glasses within a
few months of surgery, while others do not reach their best visual
acuity until as much as a year after surgery.
It is important to remember that each patient's healing pattern is
different and so is the need for glasses in the post-operative
period.
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