Get your Cornea Transplant at a Cornea Center |
Posted: May 26, 2016 |
The cornea refers to the clear outer layer that covers the front part of the eyeball and is considered to be the window to the eye. That is, the pupil and the iris are seen through the cornea. The cornea is instrumental in focusing rays of light on the retina, effectively transmitting this image to the brain. Consequently, any damage to the cornea requires that you visit a cornea center for specialized treatment. A damaged cornea is usually less transparent and in some instances, the shape can change. Consequently, this prevents the entry of light into the retina resulting in the distortion of the picture that is transmitted to the brain. Cornea Transplant – The Ideal Cornea Treatment When the damage to the cornea is severe, specialists at a good cornea center willrecommend a cornea transplant. This refers to a surgical procedure where part or all of a damaged cornea is removed and replaced with healthy donor tissue. This procedure is also referred to as a cornel graft, or keratoplasty, and is crucial in improving sight, relieving pain and treating severe damage or infection. Keratoconus is a leading cause for cornea transplant because it causes the shape of the cornea to change. What does a cornea transplant entail? The type of cornea transplant that will be prescribed at the cornea center is dependent on the part of the cornea that is damaged as well as the extent of the cornea that needs to be replaced. Generally, the three common options include:
When you undergo a cornea transplant at a cornea center of your choice, general or local anesthetic may be administered. The procedure usually takes under an hour. You may stay overnight at the facility or leave the same day depending on your circumstances. When a transplant is involved in the procedure, stitches hold the cornea in place for over 12 months. For an endothelial transplant, stitches are not required as an air bubble holds it in place for a few days before it naturally sticks on the deep cornea layer. Cornea Transplant – What to expect Before having a cornea transplant, it is important to talk to specialists at the cornea center about what to expect after the procedure. Like other kinds of surgery, certain risks are associated with cornea transplant. First, the body might reject the cornea. That is, your immune system may recognize that the cornea that is donated does not belong to your body and attack it. This is quite common especially in full thickness corneal transplant. While only 5% of patients undergoing low-risk graft fail, serious rejection is rare in deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) patients. Rejection may occur after a week or months of the transplant and may be treated with steroid eye drops. Other complications associated with this procedure include sensitivity to light, red eye, eye pain and vision problems, especially clouded or foggy vision. In summary, your cornea is very important hence must be treated as such by seeking treatment from a reputable cornea center at the onset of symptoms of damage.
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