Corneal transplantation



Definition

In corneal transplant, also known as keratoplasty, a patient's damaged cornea is replaced by the cornea from the eye of a human cadaver. This is the most common type of human transplant surgery and has the highest success rate. Eye banks acquire and store eyes from donors to supply the need for transplant corneas.


Purpose

Corneal transplant is used when vision is lost because the cornea has been damaged by disease or traumatic injury, and there are no other viable options. Some of the conditions that might require corneal transplant include the bulging outward of the cornea (keratoconus), a malfunction of the cornea's inner layer (Fuchs' dystrophy), and painful corneal swelling (pseudophakic bullous keratopathy). Other conditions that might make a corneal transplant necessary are tissue growth on the cornea (pterygium) and Stevens-Johnson syndrome, a skin disorder that can affect the eyes. Some of these conditions cause cloudiness of the cornea; others alter its natural curvature, which also can reduce vision quality.

Injury to the cornea can occur because of chemical burns, mechanical trauma, or infection by viruses, bacteria, fungi, or protozoa. The herpes virus produces one of the more common infections leading to corneal transplant.

Corneal transplants are used only when damage to the cornea is too severe to be treated with corrective lenses. Occasionally, corneal transplant is combined with other eye surgery such as cataract surgery to solve multiple eye problems with one procedure.


Demographics

The Eye Bank Association of America reported that corneal transplant recipients range in age from nine days to 103 years. More than 40,000 corneal transplants are performed in the United States each year. The cost is usually covered in part by Medicare and health insurers, although the patient might be required to incur part of the cost for the procedure. All eye tissue is donated. It is illegal to buy or sell human tissue.


Description

The cornea is the transparent layer of tissue at the front of the eye. It is composed almost entirely of a special

In a corneal transplant, the eye is held open with a speculum (A). A laser is used to make an initial cut in the existing cornea (B). The surgeon uses scissors to remove it (C), and a donor cornea is placed (D). It is stitched with very fine sutures (E). (Illustration by GGS Inc.)
In a corneal transplant, the eye is held open with a speculum (A). A laser is used to make an initial cut in the existing cornea (B). The surgeon uses scissors to remove it (C), and a donor cornea is placed (D). It is stitched with very fine sutures (E). (
Illustration by GGS Inc.
)
type of collagen. It normally contains no blood vessels, but because it contains nerve endings, cornea damage can be very painful.

In a corneal transplant, a disc of tissue is removed from the center of the eye and replaced by a corresponding disc from a donor eye. The circular incision is made using an instrument called a trephine, which resembles a cookie cutter. In one form of corneal transplant, penetrating keratoplasty (PK), the disc removed is the entire thickness of the cornea and so is the replacement disc.

The donor cornea is attached with extremely fine sutures. Surgery can be performed under anesthesia that is confined to one area of the body while the patient is awake (local anesthesia) or under anesthesia that places the entire body of the patient in a state of unconsciousness (general anesthesia). Surgery requires 30–90 minutes.

Over 90% of all corneal transplants in the United States are PK. In lamellar keratoplasty (LK), only the outer layer of the cornea is removed and replaced. LK has many advantages, including early suture removal and decreased infection risk. It is not as widely used as PK, however, because it is more time consuming and requires much greater technical ability by the surgeon.

A less common but related procedure called epikeratophakia involves suturing the donor cornea directly onto the surface of the existing host cornea. The only tissue removed from the host is the extremely thin epithelial cell layer on the outside of the host cornea. There is no permanent damage to the host cornea, and this procedure can be reversed. This procedure is mostly performed on children. In adults, the use of contact lenses can usually achieve the same goals.


Diagnosis/Preparation

Surgeons may discuss the need for corneal transplants after other viable options to remedy corneal trauma or disease have been discussed. No special preparation for corneal transplant is needed. Some ophthalmologists may request that the patient have a complete physical examination before surgery. Any active eye infection or eye inflammation usually needs to be brought under control before surgery. The patient may also be asked to skip breakfast on the day of surgery.

Aftercare

Corneal transplant is often performed on an outpatient basis, although some patients need brief hospitalization after surgery. The patient will wear an eye patch at least overnight. An eye shield or glasses must be worn to protect the eye until the surgical wound has healed. Eye drops will be prescribed for the patient to use for several weeks after surgery. Some patients require medication for at least a year. These drops include antibiotics to prevent infection as well as corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and prevent graft rejection.

For the first few days after surgery, the eye may feel scratchy and irritated. Vision will be somewhat blurry for as long as several months.

Sutures are often left in place for six months, and occasionally for as long as two years. Some surgeons may prescribe rigid contact lenses to reduce corneal astigmatism that follows corneal transplant.


Risks

Corneal transplants are highly successful, with over 90% of the operations in United States achieving restoration of sight. However, there is always some risk associated with any surgery. Complications that can occur include infection, glaucoma, retinal detachment, cataract formation, and rejection.

Graft rejection occurs in 5–30% of patients, a complication possible with any procedure involving tissue transplantation from another person (allograft). Allograft rejection results from a reaction of the patient's immune system to the donor tissue. Cell surface proteins called histocompatibility antigens trigger this reaction. These antigens are often associated with vascular tissue (blood vessels) within the graft tissue. Because the cornea normally contains no blood vessels, it experiences a very low rate of rejection. Generally, blood typing and tissue typing are not needed in corneal transplants, and no close match between donor and recipient is required. However, the Collaborative Corneal Transplantation Study found that patients at high risk for rejection could benefit from receiving corneas from a donor with a matching blood type.

Symptoms of rejection include persistent discomfort, sensitivity to light, redness, or a change in vision. If a rejection reaction does occur, it can usually be blocked by steroid treatment. Rejection reactions may become noticeable within weeks after surgery, but may not occur until 10 or even 20 years after the transplant. When full rejection does occur, the surgery will usually need to be repeated.

Although the cornea is not normally vascular, some corneal diseases cause vascularization (the growth of blood vessels) into the cornea. In patients with these conditions, careful testing of both donor and recipient is performed just as in transplantation of other organs and tissues such as hearts, kidneys, and bone marrow. In such patients, repeated surgery is sometimes necessary in order to achieve a successful transplant.


Normal results

Patients can expect restored vision after the healing process is complete. In some patients, this might take as long as a year. Patients with keratoconus, corneal scars, early bullous keratopathy, or corneal stromal dystrophies have the highest rate of transplant success. Corneal transplants for keratoconus patients have a success rate of more than 90%.


Morbidity and mortality rates

While there is risk involved with any surgery, corneal transplants are relatively safe. In 2001, there was some concern about cornea donors transmitting Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, a fatal bone-deteriorating disease, after questions of infection arose in Europe. A study showed the risk of transmission in the United States was small, as was any infection risk from cornea donors. Currently, cornea donors are screened using medical standards of the Eye Bank Association of America. These guidelines restrict donors who died from unknown causes, or suffered from immune deficiency diseases, hepatitis, and other infectious diseases.

Transplant recipients may have to receive another transplant if the first is unsuccessful or if, after a number of years, the disease returns.

Alternatives

An increasingly popular alternative to corneal transplants is phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK). This technique is now used to treat corneal scars and dystrophies, and some infections. Surgeons use an excimer laser and a computer to vaporize diseased tissue, leaving a smooth surface. New tissue begins growing immediately and recovery takes only a few days. Patients must be carefully selected, however, and success is greatest if damage is restricted to the cornea's top layer.

Intrastromal corneal rings are implantable devices that could be used for some keratoconus patients. The rings are implanted and the procedure is reversible. However, not much is known about long-term stability. Some companies also are developing synthetic corneas that are implanted using synthetic penetrating keratoplasty. This procedure may become more widely used for high-risk patients and those with severe chemical burns.


Resources

books

Boruchoff, S. Arthur, and Richard A. Thoft. "Keratoplasty: Lamellar and Penetrating." In The Cornea, edited by Gilbert Smolin and Richard A. Thoft. Boston: Little, Brown and Co., 1994.

Brightbill, Frederick S., ed. Corneal Surgery. St. Louis: Mosby, 1993.

Bruner, William E., Walter J. Stark, and A. Edward Maumenee. Manual of Corneal Surgery. New York: Churchill Livingstone, 1987.

Miller, Stephen J. H. Parsons' Diseases of the Eye, 18th ed. New York: Churchill Livingstone, 1990.

Vaughan, Daniel, ed. General Ophthalmology, 14th ed. Stamford: Appleton & Lange, 1995.


periodicals

Kennedy, R. H., et al. "Eye Banking and Screening for Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease." Archives of Ophthalmology 119 (May 2001): 721–6.

Watson, B. C., and G. L. White Jr. "Corneal Transplantation." American Family Physician 54 (Nov. 1996): 1945–48.


organizations

American Academy of Ophthalmology. 655 Beach Street, P.O. Box 7424, San Francisco, CA 94120-7424. http://www.aao.org .

Eye Bank Association of America. 1015 Eighteenth Street NW, Suite 1010, Washington, D.C. 20036. (202) 775-4999. http://www.restoresight.org .


other

Asbell, Penny A., and Syed M. Ahmad. "New Techniques in Corneal Transplant." Review of Ophthalmology, May 15, 2002 [cited February 20, 2003]. http://www.revophth.com/index.asp?page=1_94.htm .

Cimberle, Michela. "New Type of Artificial Cornea Performs Better than Donor Grafts in High-Risk Cases." Ocular Surgery News, June 1, 2002 [cited February 23, 2003]. http://www.osnsupersite.com/view.asp?ID=2346 .

"Collaborative Corneal Transplantation Studies." National Eye Institute, October 21, 1999 [cited February 25, 2003]. http://www.nei.nih.gov/neitrials/statics/study36.htm .

"Corneal Transplantation." Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy, [cited February 25, 2003]. http://www.merck.com/pubs/mmanual/section8/chapter96/96l.htm .

"Facts About the Cornea and Corneal Disease." National Eye Institute, June 2001 [cited March 4, 2003]. http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/cornealdisease/index.htm .


Victor Leipzig, PhD Mary Bekker

WHO PERFORMS THE PROCEDURE AND WHERE IS IT PERFORMED?


Corneal transplants are performed by an ophthalmologist, who is a corneal specialist and is expert at transplants and corneal diseases. Patients might be referred to a corneal specialist by their ophthalmologist or optometrist.

Surgery is performed in a hospital setting, usually on an outpatient basis. Some surgeons may also perform the procedure at an ambulatory surgery center designed for outpatient procedures.

QUESTIONS TO ASK THE DOCTOR




Also read article about Corneal Transplantation from Wikipedia

User Contributions:

1
murlene wolter
i appreciate the info.i had 1 transplant need to have another one because of rejection.
2
Jan Walling
I have been told I have Fuch's Dystrophy. Can you tell me the most successful surgeon near me is located?
Thank you
3
Mike
Thank you for the info. I have keratoconus and was adviced by my opthomologist that I should have a PTK corneal transplant. I am a healthy 35 year old male with 20/25 vision with corrective lenses. However, I can not seem to keep my contacts in my eye due to the steepness. I have also progress to a much thinner cornea that is causing scars to the cornea. I currently have Blue Shield HMO but would like to go to a great doctor. Can you please suggest a leader/best doctor for me in the San Bernardino County (CA) area. If my HMO does not offer such doctor should I wat and change to a PPO plan. Please advice! This is a scary time in my lifr and really need some advice. I only want the doctor/doctors that are the best.

THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR HELP!
4
kurt thomas
very interesting indeed i have keraticonus and am badly affected by it i have rgp contact lenses but due to my job i regularly get irritated by plasterboard and other dust so they just aren't practical and i have put up with them for almost 6 years does this surgery have a high success rate in australia and what are the average costs to patients thanks for any help would be appreciated
5
Soheil
I had pk because of keratoconus. Before surgery finish all your tasks which can be complited or get in procedure bacause after surgery you need a full month of restness with no pressure on eye such as driving, fitness, study and work with computer. Remember, you should wear shield for about a year or less in order to be protected from accidental blows, I prefer special sunglasses so the light wont irritate you much.
6
June Beasley
I, too, have been diagnosed with Fuchs' Dystrophy. Can you tell me the name of a successful surgeon near where I live which is Noblesville, Indiana. Thank you!
7
Shambhavee
Sir,
I need new information regarding the eye which is not at all formed by birth is it possible to transplant the cornea or there any other chances of transplanting the eye which as vision
8
salimah cooper
Hello Im a 17 years old and i have keraticounus i was diagnoised with this about a year or two ago but im goin for the surgery nov. 23 and i wanted some info and i must say this is so scary for me but i think this information has helped ease me a little!
Due to keratoconus I had a cornea transplant 29 years ago. They informed me that I would get at the most 20 years. My vision has gone from 20/30 to 20/80 today. My doctor left my stitches in 28 months, along time. The other doctors criticized mine for leaving them in this long. The results have been quite awesome. I have had many an optometrist tell me it is the best cornea transplant that they have ever seen. It is still clear today.Twice I have had the vision go to 20/200 between 2 year visits. They have been able to correct it down , now only to 20/80. Smoke and driving are the hardest on it. Sunny days I need dark glasses. I always wear dark sun glasses whenever I go outside.
I also have been diagnosed with Fuchs'Dystrophy and would greatly appreciate the name of a top, successful surgeon in the Pittsburgh, PA area. Thank you.
Sir,
My brother is having eye problem since birth .As per doctors the eye ball is not on proper place, so he's using lenses with power -7 and still he is not able to see properly. please suggest me d treatment needed and the name of top surgeon in India. Thanx you
THANK YOU SO MUCH im a 15 year old child with keratoconis this will be my first surgery ever as my cornea in my right eye has complety seperated i was afraid of dying on the operating table but now i feel better know keratonis has the highest sucess rate tysm i can finally sleep btw my transplant is today
What is the current recommendation for a transplant that has not resulted in functional vision two years post transplant and more often than not has the symptoms of rejection. The need for transplant was a very severe chemical burn. I would appreciate any information you have.

Sincerely,
Cathi Rodgers
14
Thelma Pascual
I have been diagnosed with Fuchs' Dystropy could you please give the name of the best doctor who can perform a corneal transplant. I live in Los Angeles area. Thank you very much.
15
M.M.P
Your article was very helpful. Please recommend a Fuchs' specialist in the Orange Park, Florida area (near Jacksonville) Thank you.
HI MY NAME IS YANELY AM 20YRS ABOUT TO GET A CORNEAL TRANSPLANT CAN SOMEBODY TELL ME HOW MUCH IS THE SURGERY WITHOUR INSURANCE? IS THERE ANY CHARITY FOR THIS ?
i HAD A CORNEA TRANSPLANT IN MY LEFT EYE ON FEB 10,2011 AT SIOUX FALLS, SD, I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH KERATACONUES IN 1985 WORE CONTACTS OR SEVERAL YEARS. PRIOR TO MY SURGERY MY VISION WAS 20/200 THE NEXT DAY WHEN GOING IN FOR A POST OP PRIOR TO GOING HOME MY VISION WAS 20/50. I HAD A FABULOUS DR. IN SIOUX FALLS AND THE MEDICAL TEAM WAS PHENOMENAL.
I was just diagnosed with Fuchs Dystrophy. My doctor stated that the disease is advancing quickly. My question is how soon might I be looking at having a corneal transplant? Also, reading is a large part of my job, how long will the recovery affect my job? Any info you can give me would be greatly appreciated.
I have Fuch's Dystrophy. How are patients matched to donor? How long are anti rejection drops/meds used? Have briefly discussed scheduling the procedure with my doctor but I am hesitant,and reluctant to ask all questions I have in mind. A cataract will be removed during procedure as well.
How limited are activities after surgery? Do sneezing, blowing nose, etc cause a problem? how long before one can resume normal activities such as driving, if all goes well.
Difficult to decide when to have this done because my present vision is ok and there is no pain involved.
Hi sir,
my mother has no eye sight and she is a dibatic patient.she lose his eyesight last year in right eye and his left eye was good.during this year she got surgery in his left eye .but know she has no sight both left and right eyes.so plz plz tell me that my mother's eye sight can be back can you transplant his eyes as you know she is a dibatic patient.pls send me your hospital address..
I am a previous 20 yr post RK surgery who now needs cornea transplants my doctor told me. I want to know if its possible to have both corneas treated at the same time. I have good at home patient care following the operation, so that is not a concern of mine. The healing period is long and I want to speed up the process. At this time I am on medical leave from my employer due to vision issues and job performance.
i have been fuch's corneal dystropy i am looking for top rated doctor in minnesota, south dakota or north dakota
MYson has got bilateral aniridia on both eyes recently he has got corneal scar an cloud in both of his eyes.he is loosing his vision progressively.can any one guide me for this.
thanks
I have read your information and it was helpful I live in Florida and need a corneal transplant. can you locate the best corneal surgeon for me, I don't care if I have to travel I am desperate. Please help me now. Thank You so much.
Hello,

I'm a 27-years-old person. I lost the left eye due of high pressure, and the current right eye is a glaukomatic one. Is there a chance for the eyes to be transplanted? Thanks to the glaukoma, as I heard there's no other remedy than to put on medical water drops in a everyday basis. And mostly, I heard about the Japanese scientists, who found a very solid way to help those with glaukoma, and those with blind eyes, and it's currently in the testing procedure.

Please, contact me, because it's most important for me, because it's a martyr for me to put on the water drops every day, without even relaxing myself... I want to be at ease from this martyr. I have been putting water drops since kindergarden.

Thanks
I also have been diagnosed with Fuchs'Dystrophy and would greatly appreciate the name of a top, successful surgeon in the Pittsburgh, PA area. Thank you.
Hi
I am a mother of 6 year old girl. When She was born her both eyes were white where no cornea was visible. But when days passed her left eye was getting cleared but the right eye still had the white thing on the cornea. Doct recommend for a transplant which we did on her but then her eye starting bulging out and the white thing was again displayed on the cornea. We seeked second opinion where the doctors recommened to take out the eye. I want my daughter to see from both her eyes. Is it possible as I have taken opinions from several doctors and they are saying it is not possible for a grating again as her eye ball has been taken out. Science have done a lot of changes and progress. Can anything been done. Please reply back to me.
28
Sallie Gratch
I am a 77 year old woman with diagnosed ICE syndrome (Chandler's) in my right eye. Totally cloudy eye, unable to see out of it, though light does come through.

I understand this eye disease is rare with no studies being done about the success or failure rate of cornea replacement for ICE syndrome patients. What do you know about the effectiveness of this surgical intervention? Can you direct me to an ICE syndrome study or group where I can learn more about the successes and failures of surgical interventions? Thank you.
I am a 72-year-old woman. I was diagnosed with Fuchs Dystrophy about 10 years ago. I would like the name of a surgeon in the Chicago area who is a specialist in treating Fuchs as well as cateracts. Thank you.
I am a 72-year-old woman. I was diagnosed with Fuchs Dystrophy about 10 years ago. I would like the name of a surgeon in the Chicago area who is a specialist in treating Fuchs as well as cateracts. Thank you.
31
Mary
I have been diagnosed with Fuchs and my vision is 20/100 in my left eye. When it's humid outside, it's like llooking through a fog. Can you tell me the name of a physician(s) in the Pittsburgh area who do the cornea transplants surgeries.

Thanks, MARY
32
Katrina
I am a 28 year old woman that has been diagnosed with keratoconus and lives in Grand Rapids, Mi. Do you have any recommendations for a cornea transplant surgeon? I would appreciate any guidance.

Thanks, Katrina
I have Fuchs and I am considering a corneal transplant. I would like to know a specialist in my area. I live in Cinnaminson, New Jersey. My zip code is 08077. Thank you.
John Biegun
34
Nancy Silberman
I have been diagnosed with Fuch's Dystrophy and I now have erosion of the right cornea. I have been using Muro 128, drops, and restasis. If this doesn't improve, the doctor suggested a scraping might be in order. I would like to get another opinion. Can you recommend an excellent opthamologist in the New Jersey, New York City area or even Philadelphia.
Thanks in advance of a reply.
Nancy
35
saleem hussain
I have PKP on 11 jul2012, please advise me complete protection and care of eye .
36
Teresa
My daughter is 38 years old and had an eye injury several years ago. Her cornea was torn loose, it took several months to get it where her cornea would not lift off. Now after a while the cornea has pulled back lose. Eye Doctor has put contacts and with medications also. He has done all that he can in this area. Can anyone tell me who and where to go to to get her help so that she want loose her eye sight. It is not getting any better. Is there a precedure out there that can help and where at. My daughter is a single mom and has many other phyical problems plus no health insurance. please help if you can give me any info. You may be just the one to help my daughter not lose her eye. God Bless
37
Jenny
How can I have a transplant.
I have corneal ulcer due to contacts.
38
Barbara
I have a Fuch's support group on face book if any one interested. I'm 55 and never heard of Fuch's untill 2006. I'm post surgery both eyes but have other eye issues whic took any benefit away from what I'd hoped for. My mom will be 80 in DEC she just had the cataracts off both eyes and Fuch's pooped out of hiding.Please join us for free info and support .I also have macular degeneration and optic nerve degeneration as well. My both sisters had retina's detach in both eyes. The first sis didn't catch it in time so one eye is gone so the other sis ran when she got the flashing lights and dark spots not floaters large ones.


Barbara
39
Elisa
I live in Discovery bay, California. Do you have any recommendations for a cornea transplant surgeon?
40
Lungile Nxele
My 14yrs daughter she been diagnosed with degenerative eye disease called Keratoconus in both eyes.She requires a Coneal Transplant on her both eyes.Its very difficulty to her to Read,Studying,Computer work her optometrist advised not to swim at School sport activities even thou its compulsary she has to loose marks.Its very hard and pain to her and to us We hope God will be with us one day.Thank you for give us hope and chance to share our pain news about our little girl at the moment we don't know what to do We are praying for Donor asking for help.God bless.
41
Gio
If the transplant is successful, how long will it be until vision is restored and what percentage?
42
ricky
Hi my name is ricky..about 3 days ago I had the corneal transplant.. I'm currently in the healing process but my email is rickyhollis.rh@gmail.com if anybody have any questions dealing with keratoconus..
43
Ted Howard Sr
I am a 56 year old male and have glacoma thats provents me to continus driving a big rig. I am very much interested in getting a eye transplant but are there any other options
44
Graham
CHEMICAL BURN

I am a 33 year old american, curently in Bangkok 6 weeks after a chemical burn to the entire surface of my left eye. The entire cornea epithelium was removed from the chemical. Good vasculature in the conjunctiva remained. The new epithelium is healing very slowly and not ataching well to the eye. Vision has gotten worse as the epithelium closes over the pupil. There are also 3 small blood vesels begining to grow over the iris at 6 oclock. Does anyone have insight into this injury? Is the need for cornea stem cell transplant, PTK, or full cornea transplant operations likely based on your experience?

Thanks,
Graham,
sebika213@yahoo.com
45
ABDUL CHAKLADAR
One of my nearest relatives, lost his right eye vision due to Glaucoma a year ago. he was receiving treatment for glaucoma in left eye.
very recently his left eye has also lost vision by viral Keratitis.
Ophthalmologist has suggested for corneal transplant for left eye.

Should the Corneal transplant be successfull for him?
46
cheryl hite
I have corneal scaring in my eye.When I was much younger, I used contacs and I got a corneal ulcer and got treatment and it cleared up. Since then, I have had lasic surgery, and catarac surgery which probably did not help the earlier problems I had with my eye. Now my eye docter tells me I need a corneal transplant because my sight has become so blurry I cannot see. The corneal lining has thinned and has scarred. Could you send me names of docters that are very good and have done alot of successful surgeries in both the Pittsburgh, Pa. area or in or around Summerfield, Florida, 34491. We live in both areas certain times of the year. Thank you so much,,C.H.
47
Karen
I was diagnosed with steeply curved corneas from bad LASIK done in 2000. I can't drive safely or keep a job due to not being able to see near or far without corneal transplants. I live in Orange County, California, and would like to know how to get the transplants done without insurance (no job, no insurance). And if I would qqualify for disability until I can get the transplants. Thank you, Karen
48
Lynn
How long till sight returns after sutures are removed from cornea transplant?
49
MB
My mom has scarring on one of her cornea due to shingles and has been told she would need to have a corneal transplants to both eyes to keep the vision equal. Is this true? Thanks
I had a corneal transplant PK at UCI in Orange, CA due to advanced Keratoconus.

The operation went very well and I have already much better vision but still blurry.

It continues to be somewhat irritated but not very painful.

Please contact me privately if you need information on how the procedure can be financially covered.

My email address is mrjgascon@gmail.com

Good Luck and my God Bless you all with many years of Good Eye Sight
51
Elizabeth
I have glaucoma in my left eye and hardly can see out of it i am 20years old born with caterracts in both eyes and I will need corneal transplant surgary soon. I would like to know how people think it helps and how long it takes for the sugary and recovery after surgery at the hospital.
52
Angel
My girlfriend just underwent her third corneal transplant, as her last chance to see. She lost her left eye to Cancer, after having double, retinal reattachment and cornea transplants. The prognosis is not so good, but the article is helping us deal with the scenario's
53
Fran Fitzgerald
I had cornea transplant in both eyes by two different doctors . One in 2002 and the other in 2009 I presently go to New Jersey Vision Associates Dr Vogel who did the surgery in 2009 who is a very good specialist Located in Passaic NJ and Islin NJ I Am still under his care. I had Fuchs in both eyes
54
anan haruna
i am in south sudan i would like how i can access corneal transplant
55
MIRIAM OFFOR
DearDoctor,

I just returned from a visit to India at LV Prasad Eye Institute in Hyderabad Andra Pradesh India.

My daugthter was diagnosed of congeital bilaterla peter's anomaly. The consultant advised surgery be performed for right eye alone after examination of both eyes.

Please kindly clarify if the graft takes and rejection does not occur. Will the seven year old child need to go through he operation again in life?

What other treatment can be given to the child aside the transplsnt.

Thank You.
This is my second day of corneal surgery.The half cornea is mine and half is another person and there is also contact lens inside my eye.Now the problem is after taking eye drops according to the doctor today when i wake up there is infection in my eye.Is this normal? Doctor called me to come after 1 week for check up.Can i go to doctor now because i dont know is it normal if there is infection or not. Need serious help.
57
manish yadav
I am 37 years i have glacoma in 2011 and glacoma is damged my cornea doctor is suggest me to do cornea transplant doctordecide to do Desk.i want to no that what is desk.
58
Karina
I had a corneal transplant about 4 yes ago at forts I had pain around my eye went to the ER then they told me I had keratoconus then they gave me appt to see doctor it's been 4 yes and still in pain and regret it so much that not able to see good I need to put eyedrops everyday along with ointments not able to cook good not able to watch tv cause of the light
59
Cheryl
I also have been diagnosed with Fuch's Dystrophy and would like to know a top surgeon in the Pittsburgh, Pa. area. Also is it better to have cataract surgery at the same time or should one be done before the other?
60
Marjorie Marlowe
I have recently been diagnosed with Fuch's Dystrophy and would like the name of a top surgeon who performs numerous corneal transplants in the Pittsburgh Pa area.
61
Jonica
My cornea transplant ripped pretty bad. What should I do? Should I go to the hospital?
62
Bee
Looking for a corneal ulcer specialist in Michigan, preferably the southern part of MI (i.e., Genesee County or close to that area). Have been treated at a well known center in MI but am getting anxious because the eye has been "beet" red for 4 days now. Went to a hospital in MI and was given 4 different drops to use and have used them faithfully and still no relief. I do not want to loose my eyesight! Help, please.
63
Gloria
I've had a Cornea Ulcer for 2 months now, had 4 different cultures, and all were negative, but there is a big white ulcer, and I've been treated for bacteria, viral and acanthemeba,
and was told that I'd probably need a corneal transplant. My ulcer is not getting better, I'm afraid to lose my eye, if it is Fungal, which I have not been treated for. I wanted a corneal biopsy and was turned down. Is there any cornea Specialist that just specializes in Cornea ulcers. I think 2 months is too long to have this ulcer!
64
Helsic
I had corneal transplantation surgery 3 weeks ago in China. Very good results so far, the surgeon asked me to stay in the hospital for an entire week to ensure there wasn't infection in the first week which he said was the most critical. During my time in the hospital I was checked and tested everyday by the surgeons and the nurses gave me all the medicines on time. I think this is the reason why recovery has been so good.
65
saqib waseem
I first cornea transplant become reject due to infection in 2013. Now eye vision is on but eye pressure is very high up 25 to 35.my doctor done DLC of my eye and recommend azopt,combigan,and travatan .after DLC some time pressure control 12 to 15 but some time it increase up 22.
How many chances to success second cornea transplant. Please tell me any madicine or drops for eye pressure control
66
saqib waseem
I first cornea transplant become reject due to infection in 2013. Now eye vision is on but eye pressure is very high up 25 to 35.my doctor done DLC of my eye and recommend azopt,combigan,and travatan .after DLC some time pressure control 12 to 15 but some time it increase up 22.
How many chances to success second cornea transplant. Please tell me any madicine or drops for eye pressure control
67
Jim Helton
I had herpes simplex for 35 years with occasional flare ups. The scars from the flare ups finally covered the cornea so I had a corneal transplant. This was 3 years ago. Two issues occurred and I would like to know the cause and how to fix. The day after the transplant my eye with the new cornea was fully dilated. The upper eyelid was drooping and opened about 25% less than the other. Two weeks later I still had both issues. The doctor gave me Pilocarpine. The pupil did go down some, but is still at least twice the size of the other. The dropping issue still occurs. The eyelid opens only so far. What caused these and how can they be fixed?
68
Dr. Don Stoltz
I am a 83 year old retired physician who as worn hard contact lenses for over 60 years. During my last visit with my eye doctor she said I have corneal edema and sent me to an ophthalmologist who advised a corneal transplant. The problem has somewhat improved with prednisone drops but she has still advised surgery. Any thoughts?

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