What is Corneal Graft Surgery?
Corneal graft surgery, also known as corneal transplant or keratoplasty, is a procedure to treat corneal disease or damage by replacing it with a healthy cornea from a donor. The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped tissue at the front of the eye that helps protect it and contributes to clear vision.
During the corneal surgery, the damaged cornea is removed and replaced with a cornea from a donor. This cornea transplant surgery can restore vision and improve the quality of life for many patients. After the cornea transplant surgery, most patients experience improved vision and better eye function.
The cornea plays a vital role in maintaining clear vision by blocking harmful particles, dirt, germs, and UV light from entering the eyes. It works together with the lens of the eye to ensure clear and focused vision
Who is the best candidate for corneal graft surgery?
Corneal graft surgery is recommended for those who experience symptoms like eye pain, blurry or cloudy vision, and have certain medical conditions that damage the cornea. Conditions such as Fuchs’s dystrophy, keratoconus, bullous keratopathy, keratitis, and eye infections may require corneal transplant surgery when other treatments are not effective.
Fuchs’s dystrophy is when the inner layer of the cornea’s cells dies, causing the cornea to swell and thicken, leading to blurred vision. Keratoconus changes the cornea’s shape to become cone-shaped, affecting normal vision. Other causes for damaged corneas include infections, traumatic injuries, previous eye surgeries, and bullous keratopathy.
Corneal transplant surgery can help correct issues like corneal scarring, corneal ulcers, keratoconus, thinning, clouding, and swelling of the cornea. If your ophthalmologist determines that a corneal transplant is the best option after exploring other treatments, it can significantly improve or restore your vision when done correctly by experts.
