Keratoplasty: Understanding and Managing Corneal Transplant Surgery

Introduction 

Keratoplasty, also known as a corneal transplant, is a surgical procedure used to replace a damaged or diseased cornea with a healthy one. This procedure is typically performed to restore vision and improve the appearance of the eye in cases of corneal damage or disease. In this article, we will discuss the causes, symptoms, and management of keratoplasty.

Causes 

Keratoplasty may be recommended in cases of:

  • Corneal scarring: Scarring of the cornea can be caused by injury, infection, or certain medical conditions such as keratoconus, and can lead to distorted vision and decreased visual acuity.
  • Corneal opacification: Opacification of the cornea, or cloudy vision, can be caused by a variety of conditions, including Fuchs' dystrophy, and can lead to decreased visual acuity.
  • Corneal thinning: Thinning of the cornea can be caused by a variety of conditions, including keratoconus, and can lead to increased sensitivity to light and glare.
  • Corneal perforation: A hole in the cornea, caused by injury or infection, can lead to severe eye pain, redness, and decreased visual acuity.

Symptoms 

Symptoms of corneal damage or disease can include:

  • Blurred vision
  • Distorted vision
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Glare and halos around lights
  • Redness or irritation of the eye
  • The feeling of a "gritty" sensation in the eye
  • Episodes of severe eye pain
  • Cloudy or opaque vision
  • Decreased visual acuity

Diagnosis 

Keratoplasty is typically recommended based on a thorough eye examination and diagnostic tests such as a corneal topography, pachymetry, and a slit-lamp examination. Your doctor may also do a visual acuity test to measure your visual acuity, and a Schirmer's test to measure the amount of tears produced.

Procedure 

Keratoplasty is typically performed as an outpatient procedure, meaning that the patient does not have to stay overnight in the hospital. The procedure is usually done under local anesthesia and takes about 2 to 4 hours. During the procedure, the surgeon will remove the damaged or diseased portion of the cornea and replace it with a healthy donor cornea. The procedure can be done in a number of ways, including full-thickness transplant (penetrating keratoplasty) and partial-thickness transplant (lamellar keratopl)

 

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