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Alternative names Return to top
Keratoplasty; Penetrating keratoplastyDefinition Return to top
A corneal transplant is surgery to replace the clear surface on the front of the eye (the cornea).Description Return to top
Most corneal transplant operations are done under local anesthesia on an outpatient basis. This means that the patient is awake but an injection is given to make the eye completely numb. There is no pain.
The corneal tissue for transplantation is taken from a donor shortly after death with the permission of the next of kin. Though most transplant procedures carry the risk of rejection of the transplant tissue or organ, the cornea has very limited blood supply, which greatly reduces this risk. Most corneal transplants function extremely well for many years.
Indications Return to top
Corneal transplantation is recommended for:Risks Return to top
The risks for any anesthesia are:Expectations after surgery Return to top
Full visual recovery takes a long time (up to a year), but most patients with successful corneal transplants will enjoy good vision for many years, or even a lifetime.
Convalescence Return to top
Rest and avoid strenuous activities during the healing phase. Update Date: 7/21/2003 Updated by: Raymond S. Douglas, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Ophthalmology, UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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Page last updated: 28 October 2004 |