Your cornea is the clear front layer that sits on top of your eye. A cornea transplant is the replacement of your cornea. Your eye doctor will remove diseased or damaged corneal tissue during this procedure. He’ll replace it with healthy corneal tissue. The goal of corneal replacement is to restore your vision and improve your quality of life.
The replacement tissue used for a corneal transplant typically comes from a deceased human donor’s eye. Each donor cornea goes through testing to ensure it’s safe for transplanting. In some cases the superficial layers of your cornea get replaced during this procedure. In other cases, the inner most cornea layer is removed. Lastly, the entire cornea might need to be replaced in other cases.
You might be experiencing a few symptoms if you need a cornea transplant. This could include cloudy vision, blurry vision, or eye pain.
Who Needs Cornea TransplantsYour eye doctor might recommend a transplant if your cornea can’t be repaired or healed from other corneal treatment methods. Several things might cause problems with your cornea. For example, you might suffer from keratoconus. This is a corneal disease where your cornea is shaped like a cone instead of a dome. In most cases, keratoconus patients avoid corneal transplants by using contact lenses.
Fuchs’ dystrophy is another disease that might require a cornea transplant. The cells of the inner layer of your cornea won’t function properly if you have this condition.
Eye injuries or infections that cause scarring on your cornea might also require you to get a transplant.
Our SpecialistThere are three different options your eye doctor will recommend for a cornea transplant. The method he chooses depends on your cornea’s condition, your health needs, and what caused the damage to your cornea. The surgical options focus on different layers or a single layer of your cornea.
Your eye doctor will use a small blade to remove the entire middle part of your cornea. It will be replaced with a donor cornea of the same size. The recovery time for this option is longer than others and it might take you over a year to get functional vision back. Frequently, this requires the use of a skilled contact lens optometric specialist.
Your doctor might recommend this option if only the middle and front layers of your cornea are affected. The back layer of your cornea is left intact. This method is usually used to treat scarred corneas or advanced keratoconus.
The innermost layer of your cornea is called the endothelium. When it becomes damaged, your cornea can swell and your vision will get affected. Endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK or DMEK) is performed when this layer gets replaced. It’s considered a partial transplant since only this inner layer gets replaced.
We’re proud to be the leading cornea specialists serving Allentown, PA and the surrounding areas. Our team of highly-experienced and qualified optometrists and ophthalmologists is here to guide you through the process of cornea transplants.
If you have been referred to Lehigh Eye Specialists, we look forward to caring for you and your eyesight. To prepare for your appointment, please visit our Patient Portal page.
Our Doctors Patient ResourcesDr. David DeRose is a highly skilled and compassionate ophthalmologist with a remarkable focus on corneal diseases. With extensive expertise and a passion for improving patients’ vision and eye health, Dr. DeRose is dedicated to providing personalized and cutting-edge treatments for a wide range of corneal conditions.
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