What is the cornea?
The cornea is the eyeball’s transparent front layer. It serves as a portal to the retina. In order to see clearly, light rays must be focused on the retina by the cornea (the light-sensitive film at the back of the eye). This picture is then sent to the brain. The cornea can become less transparent or change shape if it’s damaged in some way.
What is corneal transplantation?
The cornea is your eye’s clear, dome-shaped outer surface. It helps with the ability to see clearly. Keratoplasty, or corneal transplantation, is a surgical procedure in which donor corneal tissue replaces a missing portion of your own corneal tissue.
A damaged or diseased cornea can be repaired with a corneal transplant, which restores vision, relieves pain, and improves the appearance of the cornea.
How is the transplant performed?
The type of corneal transplant you receive will be determined by how much of your original cornea needs to be replaced or how damaged your cornea is.
Below are the different corneal transplants:
- Penetrating keratoplasty: A full-thickness transplant of the cornea.
- Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty: Replaces or reshapes the cornea’s external and middle (front) layers.
- Endothelial keratoplasty (EK): replacing the cornea’s deeper (rear) layers.
General anesthesia is used for a cornea transplant, while local anesthesia can numb the area and keep you awake.
The procedure usually takes less than an hour, and depending on your circumstances, you may be discharged from the hospital the same day or be required to stay overnight.
If surgery necessitates an outer corneal transplant, the new outer cornea is secured in place with an incision, which is usually left in for at least a year.
The EK procedure does not require the use of incisions. It’s held in place for a few days by an air bubble before sticking to the cornea’s deep layer on its alignment.
Risks after the transplant
Corneal transplant surgery carries the same risks as any other type of surgery. These can include the body rejecting the new cornea, infection, and additional vision problems. The majorities of cornea transplants are successful and will continue to function normally for at least ten years after the procedure.
Conclusion
It is significant that you choose a reliable eye clinic and an experienced professional doctor for your treatment to avoid any complications later on. Ebsar Eye Clinic is among the best ophthalmology clinics in Dubai with highly qualified and skilled ophthalmologists. We are happy to assist you with all your queries. Give us a call or send an email to book your appointment and get the best of consultation and recommendations about your eye health condition.