Corneal transplantation

Corneal transplantation:

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Is corneal transplantation successful? What are the risks associated with corneal transplantation? Is corneal transplantation successful? How is keratoconus transplantation done? What are the contraindications after corneal transplantation? When does vision improve after corneal transplantation? What is the cost of a corneal transplant? Let’s get acquainted with its details in today’s article, as you can learn about  plastic surgery in Turkey .

What is the cornea?

• Besides the whites of the eye, the cornea acts as a barrier against dirt, germs, and other particles that can harm the delicate components of the eye.
• The cornea also filters some amounts of ultraviolet sunlight.
• The cornea plays a major role in vision, when light enters the eye, it is refracted by the outer shape of the cornea.
• The curvature of this outer layer also helps determine how well your eye focuses on nearby objects through disease, infection, or injury.
• The resulting scars or discoloration can interfere with vision by blocking or distorting light when it enters the eye.

The cornea consists of three main layers:

• Epithelium: It is the surface layer of the cornea, where this layer prevents the entry of external materials into the eye. This layer also absorbs oxygen and nutrients from tears.
• Stroma: The stroma is the thickest layer in the cornea and is located behind the epithelium. It is mostly composed of water and proteins that give it a “flexible” but hard shape.
• Endothelial lining: It is a single layer of cells located between the stroma and the aqueous humor, which is the clear, fluid at the front of the eye. The lining also acts as a pump, expelling excess water as it is absorbed into the stroma. Without this function, the stroma can become submerged. Watery, foggy and dark in appearance.

What is corneal disease?

There are various diseases that may affect the cornea of ​​the eye, and in some of them, corneal transplantation is used:

• It is a variety of conditions that mainly affect the cornea, and these include inflammation, and degeneration.
• And many other disorders that may arise mostly as a result of genetics.
• The cornea can often repair itself after injury or disease.
• But more serious cases (infections and degenerative diseases) need treatment

Corneal transplantation:

Corneal transplantation is performed in the following cases:

• When an injury or disease damages the cornea, a corneal transplant may be able to restore or significantly improve your vision.
• Corneal transplantation is an outpatient procedure, and most corneal transplants have positive results, and success rates are on the rise with improved techniques and training methods.
• The cornea is the clear front surface of the eye in the shape of a dome, and the cornea helps protect the eye from dust, germs and foreign particles.

The parts that protect the eyes also include:

• eyelids;
• Eye socket.
• Tears .
• The white parts of the eye.

The cornea protects the eye:

The cornea also allows light to enter the eye, and corneal tissues can heal minor injuries and scratches quickly before they are exposed to infection or visual disturbances.

• However, deep injuries can permanently damage vision.
• Corneal transplant or keratoplasty: It is a surgical procedure that replaces the damaged or diseased cornea with healthy tissue from another donor.
• Corneal tissue also comes from a recently deceased registered tissue donor, since almost everyone can donate their corneas after their death.
• The waiting list is often not as long as other major organ transplants.
• In the event that the corneal tissues of the sick person do not match with other corneal tissues, an artificial cornea transplant may be resorted to.
• Donor tissue tends to produce the best results for the majority of people, however, artificial implants may often be more successful.

Reasons for corneal transplantation:

The reasons for corneal transplantation include:

• Fuchs’ dystrophy (a degeneration of the deeper layer of the cornea).
• Conical cornea.
• Retinal dystrophy.
• The cornea that bulges outward.
• Corneal thinning.
• Corneal scarring, opacity, or swelling.
• Corneal ulcers, which are often caused by trauma.

How do I prepare for a corneal transplant?

There are several steps required before the corneal transplant operation:

• Before scheduling a corneal transplant, you will need a thorough eye exam.
• The doctor will also take accurate measurements of your eye and treat any unrelated eye problems that may affect the surgery.
• In the dear, you should tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and any prescribed medications you are taking without a prescription.
• You may also need to stop taking medications that interfere with blood clotting. Before the day of surgery, ask your doctor about specific preparation instructions for the procedure.

These preparations may also include:

• Refrain from eating and drinking after midnight the night before surgery.
• Wear loose and comfortable clothes on the day of the operation.
• Keeping the face free of make-up, creams, lotions and jewelry.
• Arrange for someone to drive you home after the operation.

What happens during corneal transplantation?

Steps of the corneal transplant process:

• You will often remain awake during the transplant, but you may receive a sedative to help you relax.
• The surgeon will also inject a local anesthetic around the eye to prevent pain and prevent the eye muscles from moving.
• The surgery will likely involve the use of a microscope. The surgeon will also remove a small, round piece of the cornea with a cutting tool called a skull saw.
• The surgeon will also place your new cornea, cut it to fit the old position, and sew it in with a very thin thread that stays in place until your eye is completely healed.”

What are the risks associated with corneal transplantation?

Corneal transplantation is considered a relatively safe procedure, but its risks include the following:

• Bleeding in the eye.
• infection or inflammation.
• Corneal swelling.
• Clouding of the lens or cataracts.
• Increased pressure in the eyeball or glaucoma.

When does vision improve after corneal transplantation?

You must know some things before starting the corneal transplant process:

• Your vision will likely become worse for several months while your eye adjusts. Your doctor will remove the suture used during surgery after recovery is complete.
• You will also always need to take extra precautions to avoid injuring your eyes while exercising or exercising.
• You should also continue to have regular eye examinations according to the instructions of the specialist doctor.
• Most people have at least a partial recovery of their sight, and some will continue to require eyeglasses.
• Full recovery may take up to a year, but recovery times are decreasing as techniques improve.

What are the contraindications after corneal transplantation?

After performing the corneal operation, the patient is subjected to warnings that cannot be done so that complications do not occur after the operation. Especially since this operation is considered one of the very delicate operations. The doctor gives some instructions and prohibitions that he should follow, and some of these prohibitions are:

• Commitment to using the medications prescribed by the doctor after the operation.
• Proper nutrition for the body.
• Avoid rubbing the eyes, especially with the hands, without using sanitary napkins.
• It should be kept away from strong air sources, or not exposed to the sun.
• Wear eyeglasses during the day, even when you are at home.
• Stay away from unhealthy and dusty air.
• The eye cover must be worn for at least two days after the operation
• Commitment to taking immunosuppressive medications, especially because they sometimes attack the corneal tissue.

The material cost of corneal transplantation:

The material cost varies depending on the country in which the process is carried out, as the material cost in Turkey is about 70% cheaper than in Europe.