Corneal Transplant

Corneal Transplant

What is Corneal Transplant?

A corneal transplant (keratoplasty) is a surgical procedure to which replaces a part of your cornea with corneal tissue obtained from a donor. 
The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped surface of the front of the eye which allows light to pass into the eye and provides focus to see images clearly. Various diseases or injury can make the cornea either cloudy or change its shape. This prevents the normal passage of light into the eye and strongly affects the vision.

When is a Corneal Transplant needed?

A corneal implant is usually carried out to fix a damaged cornea and to restore vision. However, there are other medical conditions which can impair your cornea but can be fixed by a corneal transplant. A corneal transplant may be usually needed when:
●    A cornea bulging outwards (keratoconus)
●    Fuchs' dystrophy
●    Cornea layer thinning
●    An infection or injury causing corneal scarring
●    Clouding of the cornea area
●    Swelling of the cornea
●    Corneal ulcers.
●    Previous eye surgery complications affecting the cornea.

What happens during the Corneal Transplant?

The entire corneal transplant procedure takes around one to two hours. Before the surgery, you would be given a sedative to help you relax. To prevent pain during the corneal transplant but to still keep your eye muscles moving, a local anaesthetic around the eye is injected. 
The corneal transplant employs a microscope during the surgery. Your eye surgeon would remove a small, round piece of your cornea with a cutting instrument called a trephine. After this incision, a new cornea obtained from the donor would be placed, cut to fit, and will be sewn it in with a thread that would be present in your eye till it heals. This thread would be removed later.

After the Corneal Transplant Procedure

Once the new Cornea from the donor is implanted into the eye, as a patient you would be expected to:
●    Get prescribed some medications: These include eye drops, oral medications immediately after cornea transplant to avoid infection, swelling and pain.
●    Wear an eye mask, to protect the eye and heal it after the transplant.
●    Avoid injury to your eye, by not taking on to physical activities like exercise immediately after the surgery, and by being in a clean environment.
●    Return for frequent eye checkups so that the doctor can keep a track of your recovery.

However, you should seek medical attention immediately if you experience any of these symptoms:

●    shortness of breath
●    coughing
●    chest pain
●    a fever
●    chills
●    nausea

Corneal Transplant Risks and Side Effects

The Corneal Transplant Surgery is a very safe procedure with a high success rate. However, there are certain mild risks that may include:
●    bleeding
●    infection
●    swelling
●    clouding of the lens (cataract)
●    increased pressure in the eyeball (glaucoma)

Corneal Transplant in India

Indian ophthalmologists have treated many patients worldwide. Patients choose India for their treatment because of modern techniques, qualified specialists and affordable cost. The corneal transplant cost in India is lower than other developed countries with no compromise in quality. 

Recommended doctors for Corneal Transplant in India

Let's hear from some of the most reputed dcotor's for Corneal treatment in India.