When corneal clarity is diminished beyond the point which contact lens or glasses can correct, or when eye diseases cause severe pain and discomfort, Dr. Fagadau or Dr. Hawk may recommend a corneal transplant (performed at Park Central Hospital.)

In a corneal transplant, the diseased cornea is replaced by donor corneal tissue. The transplant can be either partial or total replacement of the cornea, total being much more common.

Unlike other organ transplants, extensive tissue-typing is not needed to match donor to host. The most important factors are the age of the donor, the cause of death, the length of time between the death and the transplant and the presence of diseases such as herpes or AIDS or previous eye surgery.

Procedure:
A round piece of the cornea is cut and removed from the eye. An identically-sized piece of the donor cornea is cut and sewn into the cornea with tiny stitches. A protective shield and patch is fitted over the eye until the follow-up appointment the next day.

The surgery usually takes 60 to 90 minutes to perform. Transplants are increasingly being performed as an outpatient procedure.

Vision may be blurry for about three months. The patient wears dark glasses during the day and a protective shield at night. Treatment includes anti-rejection and antibiotic eye drops several times a day during the first six months. The stitches will not be removed for six months to two years.

Results:
Final improvement in vision is gradual, sometimes a year after the operation. After stitches are removed, patients are usually left with nearsightedness and astigmatism and are fitted for glasses or contacts. Lasik surgery may be advised to reduce residual corrective needs.

More information:
Ocular Times

Photos courtesy of American Academy of Ophthalmology.