Cornea transplantation is a surgery used to replace a damaged cornea with a healthy, donated one. Some surgeries remove the entire cornea, while others only remove a few parts. The surgery is used to treat different corneal diseases. It is often the last way to treat corneal infection and save sight. In most cases, the surgery is very successful.
The cornea may be severely damaged by:
The surgery usually is finished within 1 to 1 ½ hours. An anaesthetic will be used so patients don’t feel any pain. In corneal transplant,
There are two main types of corneal transplantation surgery:
Cornea transplant is a serious surgery. Even though it is safe, it does have a risk for complications, including:
Rejection occurs when patient’s body attacks the donor’s cornea tissue. Symptoms of rejection include red eye, sensitivity to light, cloudy vision, and eye pain. Tell an eye doctor right away if you notice these symptoms. With early detection, it can be treated with steroid eye drops.
Follow the doctor and counsellor’s instructions closely. Take eye drops or medicines as advised.
The results will depend on the extend of corneal damage. Most people will have at least some vision improvement. It is important that you come for follow-ups to make sure that your eye is healing properly.
The cornea is the clear cover on the surface of your eye. Your cornea may be cloudy, causing you to lose vision. If this is the case, a clear donor cornea should fix the problem. Your cornea can also be damaged by other diseases, infections, and injuries.
You will only have a little bit of pain and it should only last for a few days after the surgery. To control the pain, you will take painkillers. In a few cases, the stitches/sutures may break. This will irritate the eye. The sutures may need to be replaced.
This depends on the type of transplant.
Depending on the eye condition, some patients might need to stay someone days.
Vision should get batter within 3 months of the surgery. If your doctor tells you to wear glasses, you will need to wear them for vision to improve.
You will need to take them for at least 6 months to 1 year. Depending on the doctor’s advice, you may need to continue them past the 1 year.
You will need to visit your eye doctor after 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months. Sometimes, the doctor may ask you to come back more frequently.
Usually after 1 month. You should wait for the doctor to tell you that the wound has healed. Also, avoid bathing in river water.
