Corneal Transplantation or Grafting is a fine micro surgery where a defective Cornea is replaced by a healthy donated Cornea. The Cornea of a departed donor is gifted by a humanitarian family and is collected & processed by an eye bank. Cornea grafting is a highly skilled day care surgery. In spite of enormous research, there is no synthetic equivalent to God given precious Cornea.
Cornea
What is Corneal Transplantation?
The cornea is the clear tissue at the front and center of the eye. Its transparency permits light to pass in to the eye.it helps protect the eye from infection and foreign material.
When would one need a corneal transplantation?
Corneal transplantation is suggested when medicines fail to heal corneal diseases or when glasses or contact lenses cannot restore the vision due to corneal irregularities. Infections, Keratoconus, Injuries, scarring due to various reasons, corneal failure from previous surgeries, birth diseases etc. are some of the causes for corneal diseases. Cornea donors can be of any age, sex or blood group. Corneas are only collected from donors after death. Common health issues like Diabetes, Hypertension, Thyroid imbalances, use of spectacles etc. do not affect the health of the donor cornea. Corneas from persons having corneal diseases, advanced cancer, communicable diseases like HIV, Rabies, Hepatitis, Viral brain infections etc., are not accepted.
Types of Corneal transplantation
Penetrating Keratoplasty:
Here the entire thickness of the diseased Cornea is replaced by a healthy donor Cornea & is secured by multiple tiny sutures. It takes a few months to years for the patient to get back his potential vision.
Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty: (DALK)
Here the defective outer part of the Cornea is replaced, leaving behind the healthy inner Descemet’s and endothelial layer. The risk of graft rejection is lesser in this procedure.
Descemet Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty: (DSEK)
Contrary to the previous surgery, only the unhealthy innermost layers of the Cornea are replaced with a thin layer donor Cornea, which includes some stroma Descemet’s and the healthy endothelium. This allows faster recovery of vision and better corneal integrity.
What are the different types of corneal disease
Infection
- Bacterial
- Fungal or Viral keratitis
Trauma
- Abrasions or exposure to toxic chemicals
Nutritional deficiency
- Vit. A deficiency
Allergies
- Vernal and atopic keratoconjunctivitis
Growth
- Ptergiyum or benign or malignant cancerous growth on the eye’s surface
Ectasia(thinning)
- Keratoconus or thinning of cornea following refractive laser surgery
- The cornea can also be damaged secondarily by other common eye conditions such as; dry eye , eye lid disorders , glaucoma
Keratoconus
Keratoconus is a disorder of the eye which results in progressive thinning of cornea
Causes
Exact causes are unknown. It is believed to occur due to genetic, environmental and hormonal factors
Symptoms
Blurring of vision
Light sensitivity
Near sightedness
Treatment
Glass
Contact lens (RGP lens)
Surgery (C3R-corneal collagen cross linking)
Diagnosis
Visual acuity
Retinoscopy
Opthalmoscopy
Corneal topography
Dry eye
Dry eye occurs the eye does not produce tears properly, or when the tears are not of the correct consistency and evaporate too quickly
Symptoms
Burning of the eye
Foreign body sensation
Pain and redness of the eye
Blurring of vision
Causes
Ageing
Changes in the hormone
Exposure to sun, wind or dry climate
Contact lens over time use
Eye injury
Rheumatoid arthritis
Treatment
Treatment depends on sensitivity. Lubricating eye drops can be given
Pterygium
Pterygium is a growth of the conjunctiva that occurs the white part opf your eye over conjunctiva
Causes
Exact causes are unknown. Certain elements causes higher risk of developing this condition are UV radiation, pollen,sand,smoke and wind