Understanding Cornea Transplant Surgery
The transparent layer on the front of your eye is called the cornea, and its two main functions are to protect the eye and to focus light as it enters your eye and travels to the retina at the back of the eye. The cornea can be damaged as a result of trauma, bacterial infection and certain eye conditions that can cause scarring or ulceration to develop on the surface. If your cornea is damaged, you may experience eye pain, loss of vision and localised inflammation, which can damage other parts of your eye if left untreated. Your optometrist can determine whether your cornea is damaged during a routine eye examination. They will use a slit lamp, which is a type of microscope with a powerful light attached to it, to examine the structure of the cornea and determine whether there are any abnormalities.
If your vision is significantly affected by damage to your cornea, you may require a cornea transplant to restore your vision and bring relief from your other symptoms. A cornea transplant can be carried out using a donor cornea or a synthetic cornea, and the procedure is considered relatively safe in healthy patients. Here's an overview of the surgery and recovery process:
The Transplant Surgery
Cornea transplant surgery is carried out using local anaesthetic, which is injected into the eye. You should not feel any pain during the procedure, but if you feel nervous about having this type of eye surgery, you can have a sedative before the procedure begins. The first part of the surgery involves removing the damaged cornea, and your surgeon will use a trephine, which is a surgical tool used for making precise incisions while controlling the depth of the cut. The replacement cornea is then secured into position with ultrafine stitches that will remain in place until the incision has completely healed. You will typically need to stay in the hospital for at least one night for observation after your surgery to ensure you don't develop any complications, such as changes to your vision or localised pain.
The Recovery Process
When you return home, you will need to protect your eye while it heals, so your doctor will provide you with an eye patch. You will also have to ensure your eye does not become dry, as this could compromise the stitches holding your new cornea in place. So, you will be given eye drops to use each day until the stitches are removed at a follow-up appointment a few weeks after your surgery. Additionally, you will need to refrain from any activities that could result in an eye injury while you are recovering, such as contact sports. You will be given an appointment with your optometrist for an eye test once your stitches have been removed. The eye test will determine the quality of your sight and whether you will need glasses, which can sometimes be the case if scarring on your cornea from the stitches alters the angle that light enters your eye and reaches the retina.
If you're deciding whether to go ahead with cornea transplant surgery, you can discuss your concerns and the risks associated with the surgery with either your eye surgeon or your optometrist. They can answer questions relating to the quality of your vision after the procedure and the types of problems that can occur during the procedure.