Health A-Z

Cornea transplant, also known as corneal transplantation or keratoplasty, is a surgical procedure to replace a damaged or diseased cornea with a healthy donor cornea. Here's how it relates to symptoms, treatment plans, and diagnosis testing.

1. Reduced visual acuity: Blurred vision or loss of vision due to corneal irregularities, scarring, or clouding.
2. Corneal diseases: Symptoms associated with various corneal conditions, including:
   • Keratoconus: Thinning and bulging of the cornea, leading to distorted vision and increased sensitivity to light.
   • Fuchs' dystrophy: Gradual loss of endothelial cells in the cornea, resulting in corneal edema (swelling) and decreased vision.
   • Corneal scarring: Scarring caused by injury, infection, or previous surgeries, leading to vision impairment.
   • Corneal ulcers: Open sores on the cornea, often accompanied by pain, redness, and discharge.
   • Other corneal dystrophies or degenerations.

1. Donor cornea selection: A suitable donor cornea is selected based on factors such as tissue compatibility, size, and endothelial cell density.
2. Surgical technique: There are different types of cornea transplant procedures, including:
   • Penetrating keratoplasty (PKP): Replacement of the entire thickness of the cornea with a donor cornea.
   • Lamellar keratoplasty: Replacement of only the diseased or damaged layers of the cornea, preserving healthy tissue whenever possible. This may include techniques such as deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) or endothelial keratoplasty (EK).
3. Post-operative care: After surgery, patients receive post-operative care instructions and may require medications such as eye drops to prevent infection, reduce inflammation, and promote healing. Follow-up appointments are scheduled to monitor recovery and assess visual outcomes.

1. Comprehensive eye examination: A thorough evaluation of visual acuity, refraction, and ocular health is performed to assess the extent of corneal disease and its impact on vision.
2. Corneal topography: Corneal topography is used to create a detailed map of the cornea's shape and curvature, helping to diagnose conditions such as keratoconus and guide treatment planning.
3. Specular microscopy: Specular microscopy is used to assess the density and health of endothelial cells in the cornea, which is important for evaluating conditions such as Fuchs' dystrophy and determining candidacy for transplant.
4. Pachymetry: Pachymetry measures the thickness of the cornea, which is important for assessing corneal edema and determining the appropriate surgical technique for transplantation.