Cornea Transplant
What is a cornea transplant?
The cornea is the dome shaped clear windshield of the eye. We need a clear, smooth and healthy cornea in order to see clearly. When the cornea becomes scarred, swollen, or damaged, or starts to change shape (keratoconus), light is not focused properly into the eye and as a result, the vision becomes blurry.
Depending on each patient's specific corneal disease, there are medical and surgical treatments available, such as eye drops or cornea transplant surgery.
Cornea transplant surgery involves replacing a diseased cornea with a clear, healthy cornea from a human donor. A human donor is someone who chooses to donate (give) his or her corneas after their death to people who need them. All donated corneas are carefully tested by an eye bank to make sure they are healthy and safe to use. A donor cornea is a precious gift from a generous organ donor given to the recipient for another chance to have good vision again.
What are the different types of cornea transplants?
In general, there are 3 types of cornea transplant surgeries:
- Penetrating Keratoplasty (PK): A full thickness cornea transplant replacing the diseased cornea. It is indicated in cases of severe cornea scarring, infection, or certain keratoconus cases.
- Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty (DALK): A partial thickness cornea transplant to replace the front part of the cornea, but the innermost layer of the cornea (endothelium) remains untouched. It is indicated for superficial cornea scarring, or certain keratoconus cases.
- Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSAEK or DMEK): An advanced partial thickness cornea transplant to replace the innermost layer of the cornea (the endothelium), while the front part of the cornea remains untouched. It is indicated for Fuch’s dystrophy, and other cornea diseases affecting the innermost layer of the cornea.
An example of a DMEK patient after surgery with Dr Tai.
Please schedule a consultation with Dr. Tai to learn more if you have an eye disease that might need a cornea transplant.
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