Why Would You Need A Corneal Transplantation?

Damage to the cornea typically occurs as a result of physical trauma, infection, or certain diseases (keratitis, ocular herpes, ocular shingles, keratoconus, and Fuchs Dystrophy being the most common). People suffering from corneal diseases usually experience blurred vision, and significant sensitivity to light. In some conditions pain in and around the eye area may also be present.

Damage to the cornea typically occurs as a result of physical trauma, infection, or certain diseases (keratitis, ocular herpes, ocular shingles, keratoconus, and Fuchs Dystrophy being the most common). People suffering from corneal diseases usually experience blurred vision, and significant sensitivity to light. In some conditions pain in and around the eye area may also be present.

What is the Corneal Transplantation process?

Depending on the type of corneal transplant procedure indicated, recovery time can vary drastically. Certain partial thickness transplants (i.e. DMEK, DSAEK) typically require 1-2 months of recovery, whereas others (such as full-thickness transplants or PKPs) can require lengthy recovery time, from six months to over one year. Localized steroid treatments are required for many months to prevent transplant rejection, although newer techniques have a very low rejection rate.

Depending on the type of corneal transplant procedure indicated, recovery time can vary drastically. Certain partial thickness transplants (i.e. DMEK, DSAEK) typically require 1-2 months of recovery, whereas others (such as full-thickness transplants or PKPs) can require lengthy recovery time, from six months to over one year. Localized steroid treatments are required for many months to prevent transplant rejection, although newer techniques have a very low rejection rate.

Corneal transplant surgery is an evolving field with newer methods available to help improve vision and decrease recovery time. Nevertheless, if a patient suffers from a corneal condition or disease it is imperative to seek care from a corneal specialist who can discuss all the options available for treatment.

Training and Experience Is Everything: Corneal Fellowships

As corneal fellowship-trained eye surgeons, Drs. McCulloch, Duncan and Cason are uniquely qualified to perform surgery on corneas…the part of the eye where most refractive surgery is done! This advanced training is only offered to the best surgeons in their field and has not only prepared them to operate on patients new to refractive surgery but also:

●     Patients who’ve had previous and other types of refractive surgery with reduced results

●     Patients who’ve had refractive surgery complications

●     And even patients who've undergone other types of eye surgery with less than desirable results, i.e. post-cataract surgery