Top 7 Things You Must Know About Corneal Transplant

Corneal transplant is done to replace the damaged cornea from the eye of an individual. The damaged cornea is replaced by a donor cornea. An experienced ophthalmologist performs this operation and it is done in a well-equipped eye hospital.

But before you undergo this treatment, you should know the 7 most important things about this treatment procedure. These are as follows:

Who Can Undergo a Corneal Transplant?

Eye candidates who have got an unhealthy or damaged cornea need a corneal transplant. One must consult the best cornea specialist in India who can evaluate the eye condition, run some tests and better advice if the transplant is the right treatment for the patient. There could be various reasons for a damaged cornea that the doctor needs to identify before operating.

Right Candidate For Transplant

For corneal transplant the candidates with the following conditions are suitable:

• Swollen or scarred cornea.
• A genetic disorder called Fuch’s dystrophy.
• Severe infection in the cornea.
• Thinned or misshapen cornea.
• Advanced keratoconus.

Types Of Corneal Transplant Recommended

Depending upon the cornea’s condition, the eye specialist may suggest a suitable type of corneal transplant program. There are three ways to do the corneal transplant and they are:

• A full-thickness transplant is recommended when the inner and outer layer of the cornea gets damaged. This process is called the Penetrating Keratoplasty.
• Some may have partial corneal damage. In such cases, the doctor may recommend a partial transplant where only the damaged part of the cornea is removed.
• If the patient's innermost corneal tissue is damaged, then Endothelial Keratoplasty is done.

What Happens Before The Corneal Transplant?

The eye surgeon will administer either local or general anesthesia before the corneal transplant procedure. There are also some physical check-ups done to see if the patient is fit enough for the treatment.

Duration For Recovery

Corneal transplant patients recover within a couple of days. But the recovery phase may vary from person to person depending upon the physical conditions. Post-surgery the patients are given protective eyewear so that the new cornea does not get exposed initially. It would take time to adjust to the body.

For a couple of weeks, the patient will need to visit the doctor for checkups to ensure that there is no sign of infection or other side effects. The patient needs to follow all the instructions given by the doctor to speed up the recovery.

Risk Factors Involved In Corneal Transplant

Generally, a corneal transplant is a safe procedure. The only risk factor is that sometimes the donor corneal tissue may get rejected by your body. But the chances of rejection are low and one must consult with the doctor to discuss the risks and complications. The donor tissue rejection signs include redness, pain, swelling and watery eyes. In case you see any of these signs, make sure to consult with your eye surgeon.

Longevity Of The Donor Cornea

Corneal transplant is a permanent treatment. The corneal tissue chosen by the ophthalmologist is a healthy one so that it lasts for a lifetime.

But one must remember to find the right eye hospital and eye specialists to get their treatment done successfully.