A clear and healthy cornea – the eye’s transparent outer layer – is a vital to good vision. If the cornea is damaged it can become swollen or scarred, and its shape and clarity may be damaged, resulting in blurred vision. This damage can occur for several reasons, including scarring after injury or disease (causing thinning or clouding of the cornea) complications from LASIK, Keratoconus (steep curving of the cornea) and more.

A corneal transplant (keratoplasty) is often performed if swelling and vision can’t be otherwise corrected. This medical procedure is one of the most common and successful transplant surgeries – approximately 40,000 corneal transplants are performed annually in the United States.

If Dr. Betz and you decide that a transplant is needed, your name is put on a list at the eye bank for a donated cornea, which is carefully screened for viruses and clarity. Unlike other transplant procedures, there is normally no waiting list for donors.

Surgery, which is considered painless, is typically done on an outpatient basis. Anesthesia can be either general or local, depending on the conditions of your specific case. During the operation, which lasts about an hour, the injured or diseased cornea is gently removed, and then the clear donor cornea is sewn into place. The stitches are later removed, usually after several months.

Many patients may benefit from recent advances in corneal transplant techniques. Lamellar transplantations involve the removal of only the portions of the corneal that abnormal, leaving the healthy tissue intact.

About one in five people undergoing cornea transplant eventually attempt to reject the donor cornea. Rejection, which can take place months or years following the procedure, can often be controlled with medication, but occasionally it is necessary to repeat the transplant. Dr. Betz is skilled at recognizing the early warning signs and makes every effort to modify your therapy to prevent rejection.

For more information on corneal transplants:
National Eye Institute
wikipedia