Cornea Transplant

BayCare Clinic Eye Specialists performs cornea transplant surgery

In cornea transplant surgery, part of a cloudy, diseased or damaged cornea is removed. Clear cornea tissue from a donor is grafted or stitched into its place.

Who needs a cornea transplant?

A cornea transplant treats damage caused by conditions that include:

• Fuchs dystrophy
• Advanced keratoconus or other thinning of the cornea
• An eye injury, burn or infection
• Complications from a previous eye surgery
• Swelling of the cornea
• Corneal ulcers

What is the cornea transplant procedure?

The decision to have cornea transplant surgery comes after consulting with an ophthalmologist.

People needing a cornea transplant are put on a waiting list at a local eye bank. There usually is a short wait for the appropriate donor tissue to become available.

What does cornea transplant surgery involve?

Cornea transplants are typically done as an outpatient procedure. The surgery takes 1 to 2 hours.

People having cornea transplant surgery are sedated and will not be able to see in the affected eye during the procedure.

What happens after cornea transplant surgery?

Recovery from cornea transplant surgery typically takes six months to a year. People who have a cornea transplant must follow all post-operative instructions to minimize the risk of tissue graft rejection or other complications. The eye must be protected at all times.

Many people can return to light work within a week after cornea transplant surgery, depending on how quickly their vision improves. People who have a cornea transplant typically see a significant but gradual improvement in their vision over time.