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Introduction | Eligible transplant recipients | Procedure | Complications

Introduction

Scarring of the cornea can occur as the result of eye surgery, eye injuries, or infection. A person with corneal scarring cannot see clearly, so replacing the scarred or damaged cornea is like replacing a frosted window with clear glass.

Anyone can donate his or her corneas for transplant. Corneas don't have to match eye color, age, or sex. A person's corneal tissue may be healthy and eligible for transplant even if he or she has cataracts or other eye conditions or wear glasses. Corneal transplant surgery is the most successful transplant surgery there is. Eighty-five percent of the people who get new corneas regain their sight.

Eligible transplant recipients

Eligible recipients are people who have:

• Corneal failure after eye surgery.
• Conditions such as keratoconus (steep curvature of the cornea).
• Hereditary corneal failure.
• Scarring after eye injury or infection.
• Rejected a cornea after a previous transplant.

Procedure

Corneal transplants are usually done within a few hours after a suitable transplant becomes available. It is painless surgery done on an outpatient basis. Transplant recipients will receive eye drops or medications to help them relax. The eye surgeon may use local or general anesthetic for the actual surgery. After removing the diseased or injured cornea, the surgeon sews the transplanted clear cornea into place. The patient will need to wear a patch over the eye for a few days to protect it.

Complications

Occasionally a corneal transplant will be rejected. In that case, the transplant procedure can be repeated, although the rejection rate is higher. If the cornea is being rejected, it becomes cloudy and the person's vision deteriorates. Most rejections can be stopped with minimal injury. Signs of rejection include persistent discomfort, sensitivity to light, redness, and change of vision.

Other complications of corneal transplant surgery include infection, bleeding, swelling, retinal detachment, and glaucoma.