Cornea transplantation is a surgery used to replace a damaged cornea with a healthy, donated one. Some surgeries remove the entire cornea, while others only remove a few parts. The surgery is used to treat a few different corneal diseases. It is often the best way to treat infection and save sight. In most cases, the surgery is very successful.

Why is the corneal transplant done?

The cornea may be severely damaged by :

• Keratoconus (Forward bulging of the cornea)
• Cornea infection or injuries
• Corneal ulcers (Keratitis)

About the Surgery:

The surgery usually is finished within 1 hour. An anesthetic will be used so patients don’t feel any pain. In corneal transplant,

1. The eye is held open with a speculum
2. A laser is used to make an initial cut in the existing cornea
3. The surgeon uses scissors to remove it
4. Donor cornea is placed
5. It is stitched with very fine sutures

Types of Corneal Transplantation Surgery

There are two main types of corneal transplantation surgery:

1. Therapeutic Keratoplasty: for corneal ulcers
2. Penetrating Keratoplasty: for keratoconus