What is Cornea Transplant Surgery?

The cornea is the outermost layer of the eye and is clear. This layer can be damaged from accidents, infections, or even can be genetically faulty. This layer is there to help protect your eye from outside debris and helps you see things clearly. Through a cornea transplant surgery, your vision can improve significantly and has a high success rate. This surgery does require a donor cornea and thus there typically is a wait until one can become available.

The cornea transplant surgery removes part of your damaged cornea tissue and is then replaced with the donor’s cornea in the same size. Tiny cuts along the outer edge by a laser or a blade are specifically done to ensure the best possible healing process. Once the whole procedure is completed, your doctor will place bandages over your eye to ensure it is protected while healing. Follow up appointments are important to ensure everything is healing correctly.

Other commonly asked questions:

• Why would someone need a cornea transplant?
  Injuries or infections are common reasons that a doctor may be recommending a cornea transplant later on in life. Your cornea may suffer from these problems and potentially become thinner. Should this happen and your vision is deteriorating, a transplant could be something to consider.

• Is corneal transplant painful to have done?
  To avoid feeling pain during the procedure, most patients are put under general anesthesia. Post surgery, your doctor can give you eye drops to help the healing process along and reduce the potential discomfort. Swelling and redness are common, although serious pain is not typical. Over the counter pain medicines generally will take care of any pain associated with the surgery. If there is serious discomfort, it is important to have a doctor look at it right away to ensure your body is not rejecting the transplant. Remember to NOT rub your eye and leave the eye patch on until you are advised to remove it. Sensitivity to light is also a common occurrence so using sunglasses is recommended.

• How long does it take to recover from a corneal transplant?
  The healing process can vary from person to person. Typically we find that it takes just a few days of needing an eye patch and once removed often people experience blurry vision in that eye. It is recommended to take it easy and minimize activities that could cause something- including your own hands- to hit that eye. It is very important to follow the guidelines from your doctor after for eye drops, medications, and activity. Most people find within 6-12 weeks their eyes have adjusted to the new cornea and their vision has improved.

• What can you not do after a corneal transplant?
  The most important thing is to NOT rub your eye. This can cause complications and even can lead to your body rejecting the transplant. You will have an eye patch on for a few days to help prevent anything from happening to it right away. Specific eye drops will be recommended by your doctor to help with any irritation and healing. You will also want to avoid strenuous activities, as well as things like dusting and swimming. It is important to really allow the eye time to heal and accept this new cornea. Most people are able to resume their normal activities within a week or two outside of heavy lifting and physical activity that could potentially hurt the eye.

• What is the success rate of corneal transplant?

  Cornea transplants have come a long way since 1905 when the first one was done successfully. That being said it is still possible for your body to reject the transplant. Additionally, it is likely that corrective lenses will still be needed. Some people find a full restoration while others see an improvement but not a complete clarity. It can take up to a year to have the body fully accept and adjust to this transplant. Success rates are between 75-90% although are always improving as the science and technique are improved as well.