Corneal Transplant

Corneal Transplants can treat a number of conditions, including the following:

• Corneal Ulcer
• Fuchs’ Dystrophy
• Keratoconus
• Scarring of the cornea caused by injury or infection

With a corneal transplant procedure, the damaged part of the cornea is replaced, which means either the entire cornea or a partial portion of the cornea can be replaced. A damaged or diseased cornea is replaced with a clear and healthy cornea from a human donor.

Types of Corneal Transplant Procedures

There are three types of corneal transplant procedures they include the following:

• Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty (DALK) – A DALK replaces the front and middle layers of the cornea.
• Endothelial Keratoplasty – An Endothelial Keratoplasty replaces the innermost layer of the cornea. There are two types of Endothelial Keratoplasty:
  • DSEK (or DSAEK) – Descemet’s Stripping (Automated) Endothelial Keratoplasty
  • DMEK – Descemet’s Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty
• Penetrating Keratoplasty (PK) – Replaces the full thickness of the cornea.

Once your ophthalmologist determines the extent of the damage to your cornea, they will then determine the recommended procedure to perform to replace the damaged cornea.

What to Expect

After your ophthalmologist determines the best procedure to perform to treat your corneal condition, you will be given your pre-op, surgery, and post-op dates.

During your pre-op appointment, the ophthalmologist and his technicians will have you complete any necessary paperwork, explain and answer any questions regarding the procedure and what to do the days leading up to and the day of the procedure, and prepare you for your surgery date.

Before beginning the surgery, the ophthalmologist will administer numbing eye drops so that you don’t feel anything during the surgery. They may also give you a sedative to help you relax, and once you are relaxed, they will perform the surgery.

Once the surgery is completed, the ophthalmologist will provide you with your post-op instructions and once you are cleared after the surgery, you are able to go home. It is required to have someone take you to your surgery as you will be unable to drive afterwards.

For more information on Corneal Transplants or any of the conditions that it treats, please call our office for an appointment at (864) 583-5312.