The cornea is a transparent layer of the eye that allows light to enter inside. The cornea helps protect clear vision, and hence, any damage to the cornea may lead to blurred vision. In a corneal transplant, a part or the entire damaged cornea is replaced with corneal tissue from the donor. Since the cornea of your eye acts like a window to the outer world, maintaining a healthy cornea is crucial if you want uninterrupted vision.

A corneal transplant is usually recommended if the cornea cannot be healed or corrected. A transplant may be required when medicines, eyeglasses, and contact lenses are unable to restore vision. At Rani Menon Maxivision Eye Hospital, we offer a comprehensive range of eye care treatments, for all corneal problems including cornea transplants.

Conditions that can be treated with Corneal Transplant

There can be several causes for corneal failure, ranging from eye injuries to previous eye surgeries. Here are a few eye conditions that can be treated with corneal transplant.

1. Keratoconus
2. Fuchs dystrophy, a genetic condition.
3. Thinning or tearing of the cornea.
4. Scarred cornea due to infection or injury.
5. Swelling of the cornea.
6. Corneal ulcers not responding to medical treatment.
7. Complications caused by previous eye surgery.

Benefits of Cornea Transplant

• Restores vision
• Reduces pain associated with a diseased cornea
• Treats eye infection

Types of Corneal Transplant

 The type of cornea transplant depends on whether the front and middle layers or the entire cornea are removed. The different types of corneal transplants include:

• Penetrating Keratoplasty or full thickness – In this transplant, the doctor removes the entire thickness of the diseased cornea.

• Endothelial Keratoplasty- The innermost layer of the cornea is removed in this type of transplant. The endothelium balances the fluid present in the cornea.

• Anterior lamellar Keratoplasty (ALK)- During ALK, the surgeon selectively replaces or reshapes the front portion of the cornea, which includes the epithelium and stroma.

• Artificial cornea transplant- Artificial corneas, also known as “keratoprosthesis” or “K-pro,” are constructed from biologically inert materials and are primarily used for patients facing severe autoimmune diseases, chemical burns, limited availability of human donor tissue, or recurrent failures with traditional human donor transplants.

Preparing for a Corneal Transplant

• Your doctor may advise you to stop any prescription medications and over-the-counter medicines that you are taking. Hence, you need to reveal all your medical conditions to your doctor before corneal transplant surgery.

• Eye examination- You will undergo a thorough eye exam to rule out any complications after surgery.

• Measuring your eye- Your eye is measured to decide the size of your donor cornea

• Treating existing eye conditions to avoid complications- Before surgery, your doctor may treat you for any eye infections or injuries that you may have.

• Avoid food and water- It is recommended that you stop taking food or drinking water on the night before your surgery

• Check if you can get enough rest to recover post-surgery. You might need six months to a year in some cases.

Finding the right donor

• Only the corneas of deceased people are donated for a Corneal transplant.

• People who have previous eye conditions or surgeries are not considered for donating cornea.

Recovery

Note that you will have blurred vision for the first few months after the surgery, which will gradually get better with time. Given enough time to your eye until it adapts to the new cornea.

Rejection and symptoms

If your body does not accept the donor cornea, it starts showing symptoms of rejection. If you identify the following symptoms of rejection, schedule an appointment with your eye care specialist.

• Decreased eyesight.
• Pain
• Redness
• Sensitivity to light.

Complications

Although cornea transplant is generally considered safe, there is a slight chance of serious complications, including:

– Eye infections.

– Increased pressure inside the eye (Glaucoma).

– Issues with the sutures holding the donor cornea in place.

– Rejection of the donor cornea.

– Bleeding.

– Retinal complications such as detachment or swelling.

How to prevent damage to the Cornea?

To prevent damage to the cornea, consider these guidelines:

Protective Eyewear: Use appropriate eye protection during activities that pose a risk of eye injury, such as sports, construction work, or handling chemicals.

Avoiding Eye Rubbing: Refrain from rubbing your eyes, as this can lead to irritation and potential injury to the cornea.

Proper Contact Lens Care: If you wear contact lenses, follow proper hygiene practices, including washing your hands before handling lenses, cleaning them as directed, and avoiding wearing them longer than recommended.

 Regular Eye Exams: Schedule routine eye exams with an eye care professional to monitor the health of your corneas and detect any issues early.

Eye Safety at Work: If your job involves hazardous materials or activities, ensure that you use the appropriate eye protection recommended for your workplace.

Healthy Lifestyle: Maintain overall health through a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals that support eye health, and avoid smoking, which can increase the risk of eye diseases.

Prompt Treatment: Seek immediate medical attention if you experience symptoms such as eye pain, redness, sensitivity to light, or changes in vision, as these could indicate a potential issue with your corneas.

By following these preventive measures, you can help protect your corneas and maintain good eye health.

Conclusion

For general eye health and good vision maintenance, corneal health is critical. Our state-of-the-art corneal transplant treatments at Rani Menon Maxivision Eye Hospital are intended to improve vision and lessen pain related to corneal conditions. Our wide variety of therapies covers problems that might impact the cornea, from Keratoconus to consequences from prior eye procedures. Patients may begin their road towards better eye health by learning about the many types of corneal transplants that are available and getting ready for the procedure.

Essentially, a corneal transplant is a step toward regaining the clarity and improved quality of life that come with having healthy eyesight, not merely a medical procedure. Our goal at Rani Menon Maxivision Hospital is to give our patients the finest treatment possible so they may have optimal results.

Schedule an appointment with us to discuss your treatment choices if you have corneal problems and start along the path to a clearer, brighter future.