Corneal transplant

Alternative Names: Keratoplasty; Penetrating keratoplasty

The cornea is the clear layer on the front of the eye. A corneal transplant is surgery to replace the cornea with tissue from a donor. It is one of the most common transplants done.

Description of Procedure

You will probably be awake during the transplant. Local anesthesia (numbing medicine) will be injected around your eye to block pain and temporarily prevent eye muscle movement. You may receive a sedative to help you relax.

The tissue for your corneal transplant will come from a person (donor) who has recently died and who previously agreed to donate their tissue. The donated cornea is processed and tested by a local eye bank to make sure it is safe for use in your surgery.

The most common type of corneal transplant is called "penetrating keratoplasty." During this procedure, your surgeon will remove a small round piece of your cornea. Then your surgeon will sew the donated cornea into the opening of your eye.

Newer techniques may be used for some patients. During these, only the inner or outer layers of the cornea are replaced, rather than all the layers.

Risks of Corneal transplant

Sometimes, the body rejects the transplanted tissue. This occurs in a small number of patients and can often be controlled with steroid eye drops. The risk of rejection decreases over time but never disappears completely.

Other risks for a corneal transplant are:

• Bleeding
• Infection of the eye
• Glaucoma (high pressure in the eye that can cause vision loss)
• Swelling of the front of the eye

The risks for any anesthesia are:

• Allergic reactions to medicines
• Breathing problems

Before and after corneal surgery	Corneal transplant - series

Review Date: 7/28/2010
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; Franklin W. Lusby, MD, Ophthalmologist, Lusby Vision Institute, La Jolla, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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