Corneal Transplants

What is a Corneal Transplant?

Corneal transplant surgery, also known as corneal grafting or keratoplasty, is a surgical procedure that involves replacing a damaged or diseased cornea with a healthy one from a donor.

Preparing for Corneal Transplant Surgery

Corneal transplant is typically recommended when other treatments, such as medication, have failed to provide relief. Your eye doctor will conduct a thorough examination before discussing your treatment options. If you and your doctor decide that a corneal transplant is the best course of action, you will be provided with detailed pre-op instructions.

How Does Corneal Transplant Surgery Work?

The surgery is typically performed under local or general anesthesia, depending on the patient’s needs and preferences. During the procedure, the surgeon will make an incision in the cornea to remove the damaged or diseased tissue. This is usually done using a circular cutting tool called a trephine.

Once the damaged tissue has been removed, the surgeon will carefully measure the size of the donor cornea and cut it to fit the recipient’s eye. The donor cornea is then placed in the recipient’s eye and secured in place using tiny stitches.

Recovery After Corneal Transplant Surgery

After the surgery, the patient will typically need to use eye drops and take other medications to prevent infection and promote healing. The recovery time can vary depending on the patient’s age, overall health, and the extent of the surgery, but most patients are able to return to normal activities within a few weeks. Follow-up appointments will be scheduled to monitor healing.