“May all be happy, may all be healed, may all be at peace and may no one ever suffer."
Corneal transplant surgery, also known as keratoplasty, is a surgical procedure used to replace a damaged or diseased cornea with a healthy one from a donor. The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped surface that covers the front of the eye and helps to focus light as it enters the eye.
There are different types of corneal transplant surgeries, including penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) and endothelial keratoplasty (EK). PKP involves removing the entire thickness of the damaged or diseased cornea and replacing it with a donor cornea that is stitched into place. EK is a newer, less invasive technique that involves replacing only the innermost layer of the cornea with a donor graft, while leaving the outer layers intact.
Corneal transplant surgery is typically performed under local anesthesia and can take one to two hours to complete. After the surgery, the patient will need to wear an eye patch and use eye drops to promote healing and prevent infection. The recovery time can vary depending on the type of surgery performed, but most patients can return to normal activities within a few weeks to a few months.
Complications of corneal transplant surgery can include rejection of the donor graft, infection, and vision loss. Close follow-up with an ophthalmologist is necessary to monitor for signs of complications and ensure proper healing.