Corneal Transplants

GTOC is well equipped to treat patients with corneal disease and even those who may require a corneal transplant.

Indications for a corneal transplant include hereditary changes or clouding of the cornea due to eye diseases such as keratoconus and corneal dystrophy, as well as scarring caused by infections or injury. The result is blurred vision. To correct this condition, healthy corneal tissue, obtained through the generosity of deceased donors and their families, is transplanted into the host eye after removal of the diseased cornea. Unlike kidney or liver transplants, however, no extensive typing procedure is necessary to match the donor and the host. Rejection rates are low (5 to 30 percent), and vision is markedly improved in about 85 percent of all cases.

Most corneal transplant surgeries are done on an outpatient basis using local anesthesia, however some conditions require general anesthesia and an overnight hospital stay. The operation lasts approximately 1–1 1/2 hours and is painless for the patient. Since stitches are required, full recovery can take six to twelve months. Patients must wear a protective eye patch immediately following surgery and use medicated eye drops for many months.

Possible complications, which are rare and often treatable, include bleeding, infection, swelling or detachment of the retina, poor wound healing, or glaucoma. There is a slight chance of recurrence of original disease in the donor graft, especially in cases of corneal dystrophy.

Dr. von Kulajta is a fellowship trained corneal surgeon. Prior to joining GTOC, she completed her fellowship training at the Wilmer Eye Institute of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.