Understanding Corneal Transplantation
Picture of a post corneal transplant eye with sutures in place and a clear graft.
An optical penetrating keratoplasty is the treatment of choice for a full thickness corneal opacity
A therapeutic keratoplasty is the treatment of choice for a corneal abscess.
1. I have been Advised Penetrating keratoplasty, what is Penetrating Keratoplasty (PK)?
When the transparent front part of your eye is completely removed and replaced with healthy donor cornea from a deceased individual, it is called as PK. It can be done in cases of corneal opacities, corneal dystrophies, very advanced keratoconus, thinned out corneas etc.
2. I have been Advised Lamellar keratoplasty, What is Lamellar Keratoplasty?
When only a part of the transparent front part of your eye is removed and replaced with an equivalent part of healthy donor cornea from a deceased individual, it is called as Lamellar Keratoplasty.
3. Are there higher chances of rejection in PK, compared to lamellar keratoplasty?
Yes. Penetrating keratoplasty involves removal of all layers of cornea and thus the immune reaction of the body is heightened after this surgery.
4. I have undergone corneal transplant surgery. What are the signs I should look out for and contact my ophthalmologist immediately about?
These signs that should alert you can be remembered as an acronym: R.S.V.P.
R: Redness
S: Sensitivity to light
V: Vision loss
P: Pain
If you suddenly experience increase in redness, pain, watering of the operated eye or a drop in vision in the same eye, immediately contact your treating eye surgeon. Your body is possibly rejecting the graft/ the graft is going into failure. If treated in a timely manner, the graft could be saved.
5. I injured my eye during at 4 years of age and have a whitish opacity in my eye. Can a corneal transplant help me?
An injury to a child’s eye during the developing years of life can lead to amblyopia or lazy eye. This is because the eye is not being used. Even if the back of the eye is normal, surgery in adulthood in these cases can result in little or no improvement of vision at times.