Corneal Transplants are some of the most common transplants in the United States. There are annually over 40,000 transplants being preformed around the US. Over 90% of all transplants done are successful and after the procedure sight is restored. Corneal Transplants are known as Keratoplasty. There are many reasons why one would need a corneal transplant below are a few common ones:

• Keratoconus

• Fuchs Dystrophy

These can cause cloudiness in the cornea and it often alters the natural curvature of the cornea. They also reduce the quality of vision in the patient. Additionally these are a few other things to add to the need for corneal transplants:

•  Trauma

• Chemical Burns

• Bacteria

• Fungi and Protozoa

Many times use of local anesthesia is used. With local anesthesia the patient is numb around the area of the procedure however they are still away. Additionally one could also use general anesthesia and be unconscious during the procedure. Consult with your eye doctor to determine which way is best for you.

It is also very important that you speak with your physician on the risks of the corneal implant as well as the benefits. Many times if we hear enough good things and not the bad things we can convince ourselves that the procedure is right. However the decisions should be made only after knowing all the options and risks involved with the corneal implants. A few of the risks are:

•  Infections

• Cataract Formation

• Glaucoma

• Retinal detachment

• Rejection and need for another transplant

In rejection of the corneal transplants the immune systems fights off the donor tissue. Approximately 30% of corneal transplants result in rejections. Here are a few of the symptoms to look for after a corneal transplant to show the body maybe rejecting it:

•  Sensitivity to light

• Redness in eyes

• Change in vision

• Persistent or constant discomfort in the eyes

You should check with your eye doctor if you are having any of these symptoms or have any questions proceeding your corneal transplant. In the end the average corneal transplant is successful and a better quality of life is experienced because of it!

Tags: C3-R, Colleagen crosslinking, cornea transplant, Corneal transplant, Intacs, Keratoconus

This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 22nd, 2008 at 2:48 pm and is filed under Keratoconus. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.