A cornea transplant is often referred to as keratoplasty or a corneal graft. It can be used to improve sight, relieve pain and treat severe infection or damage. One of the most common reasons for a cornea transplant is a condition called keratoconus, which causes the cornea to change shape.
In uncomplicated cases, first-time corneal transplant succeeds in 90% of patients, however, the long-term survival eventually falls to 74% at five years and further still to 62% by 10 years; these figures are comparable to the survival of heart, kidney, and liver transplants.
In the absence of private health insurance, out of pocket fees can approach $6000 due to the complexity of the surgery and the cost of the graft plus other specialised equipment that is required.
Most cornea transplant operations are successful. But cornea transplant carries a small risk of complications, such as rejection of the donor cornea.
Even if you choose to be left awake for the procedure, the anesthesia will generally prevent you from feeling any pain. You may feel discomfort for the next couple of days following the procedure but you shouldn't experience any severe pain.
Your cornea serves an important function for your vision. It is more than a transparent cover over your pupil. The cornea also handles almost three-quarters of your eye's focusing power. Functional eyesight would not be possible without a cornea, which is why they need to be in good shape.
The authors conclude that based on these findings, transplant surgery should be considered for patients 65 years and older.
It's likely you'll need corrective lenses (either glasses or contact lenses), even after your vision returns. In some cases, a small operation called arcuate keratotomy (AK) or laser treatment is used to correct vision problems after your eyes have healed.
When performed by a skilled and experienced ophthalmologist like Dr. Ksenia Stafeeva, a corneal transplant can last 10 years or more without complications. However, it is still important to have regular check-ups to ensure your vision and eye health remain in good condition.
A corneal transplant is sight-saving surgery that allows a patient with eyesight compromised by cornea damage to have their vision restored, in some cases to 20/20.
People have gone from being almost fully visually impaired to having perfect to near-perfect eyesight right after the operation. Not all cases are as successful, of course, but younger patients, in particular, will get to view life with new eyes post-surgery.
People who are completely blind and cannot see light cannot benefit from any type of corneal transplantation.
Recent findings: Various treatment options available in such cases include conjunctival flaps, anterior stromal puncture, amniotic membrane transplantation, phototherapeutic keratectomy, bandage contact lenses, and hypertonic saline eye drops.
Your vision may be blurry for a period of time after surgery. For some people, it may take 6 to 12 weeks to get the full benefits of surgery and to see as clearly as possible. Your doctor will give you eyedrops to help your eye heal and prevent your body from rejecting the donor tissue.
When this occurs, the cornea becomes cloudy and vision worsens. Treatment options include leaving the eye alone or performing a repeat corneal transplant.
Cross-Linking Stops Keratoconus from Progressing
The primary goal is to stabilize your corneas, to keep them from getting worse.” That can help you avoid a corneal transplant, which is major surgery that carries significant risks, including rejection of the donor tissue.
Flying could be dangerous if your ophthalmologist placed an air or gas bubble into your eye during corneal transplant surgery. If you undergo this procedure, you must get your doctor's approval before traveling by air.
Corneal transplants are covered by Medicare for public hospital patients and by private health insurance in Australia. Patients without private health cover and who wish to choose their own corneal surgeon can expect to pay at least $5,000 per eye for the operation.
The average cost of a corneal transplant can range from $3,000 to $5,000, depending on the severity of the damage and the type of treatment options available. In order to perform a successful corneal transplantation, healthy donor tissue must be obtained from a living or deceased donor.
Keratoprosthesis or Artificial Cornea Transplant is usually used as a last resort for treating a damaged cornea. In this case, an artificial cornea is transplanted when the donor's cornea is not compatible or available. The total cost of an Artificial Cornea Transplant is between INR 75,000* to INR 1.15 Lakh*.
As with all types of surgery, there is a risk of complications resulting from a cornea transplant. These can include the new cornea being rejected by the body, infection and further vision problems. Most cornea transplants are successful and will work without complications for at least 10 years.
There are many different conditions which can damage the structure and shape of the cornea leading to visual impairment and blindness. These include infectious, nutritional, inflammatory, inherited, iatrogenic (doctor-caused), and degenerative conditions (see box opposite).
Blurred or Decreased Vision
After a minor corneal abrasion, blurred vision can occur as a result of excess tearing or rubbing your eyes. But, blurred or decreased vision can also be a sign of a more serious injury to the cornea, especially if it continues or gets worse.