Corneal Transplants
The cornea is the normally clear, front window of the eye that covers the colored iris and the round, dark pupil. Light is focused while passing through the cornea, allowing us to see.
A healthy, clear cornea is necessary for good vision. If your cornea is injured or affected by disease, it may become swollen or scarred, and its smoothness and clarity may be lost. Scars, swelling or an irregular shape can cause the cornea to scatter or distort light, resulting in glare or blurry vision.
If a cornea transplant is necessary, the damaged or unhealthy cornea tissue is removed and clear donor cornea tissue is put in its place.
When is a corneal transplant necessary?
There are many conditions that can affect the clarity of the entire cornea. For instance, trauma or injury to the cornea can cause scarring, as can infections (especially herpes keratitis). A hereditary condition called Fuchs' dystrophy causes corneal failure. Keratoconus causes a steep curving of the cornea. Sometimes corneal failure can occur after an eye surgery such as cataract surgery.
A corneal transplant is needed if vision cannot be corrected satisfactorily with eyeglasses or contact lenses, or if painful swelling cannot be relieved by medications or special contact lenses.
A corneal transplant is done using a human donor cornea. Before a cornea is released for transplant, tests are done for viruses that cause hepatitis, AIDS and other potentially infectious diseases. The cornea is also checked for clarity.
With traditional full corneal transplant surgery (known as penetrating keratoplasty), a circular portion is removed from the center of the diseased cornea. A matching circular area is removed from the center of a healthy, clear donor cornea, placed into position and sutured into place.
With an EK cornea transplant procedure (endothelial keratoplasty), only the abnormal inner lining of the cornea is removed. A thin disc of donor tissue containing the healthy endothelial cell layer is placed on the back surface of the cornea. An air bubble pushes the endothelial cell layer into place until it heals in an appropriate position.
With a lamellar corneal transplant procedure, the superficial layers of the cornea are removed and replaced with donor tissue. Sutures are used to secure the new tissue into place.
A Generous Gift of Sight.
Corneal transplant would not be possible without the thousands of generous donors and their families who have donated corneal tissue so that others may see. Each year, nearly 50,000 people with corneal disease are given the gift of sight through cornea donors.
For information on cornea transplant post-operative care, click here.
(C) 2011 American Academy of Ophthalmology. Used by Permission
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Lucy H. | May, 2024
5 year update. As a former -10 diopter glasses-wearer, the team here gave me the freedom live life. No more nagging concerns of 'Do I have enough contacts?' or 'How will I wear my glasses while doing _________?'. Going through my 20s without glasses is amazing! Thank you for the ICL surgery! I am grateful every single day.
Allison M. | February, 2024
Dr. Tseng recently removed a pterygium from my husband’s eye and the surgery went very well. Unfortunately a week later my husband developed an unexpected ulcer with severe inflammation in the same eye. Dr. Tseng was extremely attentive with a calm and caring demeanor. He met us in their office after hours twice to make sure my husband was taken care of. We are thankful the eye is healing properly.
Brigid M. | November, 2023
Dr. Pramanik noticed an eye problem that others didn’t. He solved it. Also gave me a chance to upgrade my lens for cataract surgery. He was very patient, and understanding of my needs, and now I can see just great! His staff was so friendly, knowledgeable, and easy to reach. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND ALL OF THEM!!
Marla F. | July, 2023
My 21 year old son suffered a very traumatic eye injury when part of a firework hit him directly in the eye. After his initial surgery at Shock Trauma we transferred over to Dr. Pramanik on the advice of a friend. Thank God we did. He and his entire team, including the wonderful Dr. Vickery, have worked tirelessly over the past year to not only SAVE my son's eye but to bring back some vision. He has had multiple issues pop up and they deal with them immediately and always ensure a pain-free environment. We still have a ways to go, but I 100% believe that without Dr. P and his amazing team, my son would have lost his eye. They treat us with respect and kindness and they truly do care.
Rebecca B. | July, 2022
I'd just like to take the opportunity to commend you all for the outstanding service at Mid-Atlantic Cornea. I am a new patient, having seen Dr. Pramanik and Dr. Bell. From sign-in until check out and in every encounter in between with the staff and doctors, you are a warm and welcoming, efficient and skilled group of professionals. At my age, I see more doctors than I care to mention and I know that offices vary widely in patient interaction protocols. Many medical-surgical practices certainly have skills, but not many exhibit the friendliness and attention to patient interaction, efficiency, and a very obvious concern for the patient that Mid-Atlantic does.
Jeff W. | February, 2022
Dr. Bell and all of the staff are friendly and care about you eyes and want to help. They go above and beyond to make sure you are comfortable with their care and to get you feeling better prior to leaving each appointment. So happy I made the switch to Dr. Bell!
Chris K. | July, 2021