What is Corneal Transplant Surgery?
A corneal transplant is a sight-restoring procedure used to replace damaged or diseased corneal tissue with healthy donor tissue.
The cornea is the clear front surface of the eye that helps focus light and protect the eye. When the cornea becomes scarred, swollen or distorted, vision can become significantly impaired and may not be correctable with glasses or contact lenses.
Corneal transplants may be recommended for patients experiencing vision loss from conditions such as keratoconus, Fuchs’ dystrophy, corneal scarring, infections, injuries, keratitis, dry eye complications, ocular herpes, shingles, lattice dystrophy, pterygium, or other corneal diseases. At Idaho Eye and Laser Center, our corneal specialists perform advanced corneal transplant procedures in Idaho Falls and throughout southern and southeast Idaho to help restore vision and improve quality of life.
Types of Corneal Transplants
The type of corneal transplant recommended depends on the location and severity of the damage within the cornea. Our surgeons offer both full-thickness and partial-thickness corneal transplant procedures.
Full-Thickness Corneal Transplant
Full-Thickness Corneal Transplant (Penetrating Keratoplasty or PK): A penetrating keratoplasty replaces the entire cornea with healthy donor tissue. This procedure may be recommended when damage affects multiple layers of the cornea. Temporary sutures are used to secure the donor tissue while the eye heals.
Partial-Thickness Corneal Transplant
Partial-Thickness Corneal Transplant, (DSAEK): Descemet’s Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty or (DMEK): Descemet’s Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty, replaces only the damaged inner layer of the cornea while preserving healthy tissue. Because less tissue is replaced, many patients experience faster healing, less visual distortion, and a quicker recovery compared to a traditional full-thickness transplant.
Corneal Transplant Recovery and Risks
Potential Risks
Corneal transplant surgery is highly successful, but as with any surgical procedure, risks can occur.
- Transplant rejection
- Infection
- Swelling
- Bleeding
- Delayed healing
Recovery and Outcomes
Our experienced ophthalmologists closely monitor patients throughout recovery to help ensure the best possible outcome. Most patients experience significant vision improvement following corneal transplantation, although recovery times vary depending on the procedure performed and individual healing characteristics.
Why Choose Idaho Eye and Laser Center for Corneal Transplant Surgery?
Our fellowship-trained corneal specialists provide advanced corneal transplant care for patients throughout southern and southeast Idaho. We offer both traditional penetrating keratoplasty (PK) and modern DSAEK and DMEK procedures, allowing us to customize treatment based on your unique eye condition and vision goals. From diagnosis through recovery, our team is dedicated to helping you achieve the best possible visual outcome.
DSAEK, DMEK Corneal Transplants
Corneal transplant technology has come a long way. Today, rather than having a full corneal transplant, some patients are benefitting from Descemet’s Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSAEK) or Descemet’s Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK) surgeries.
Full corneal transplants require that a patient’s entire cornea be removed and replaced with a donor cornea from an eye bank. While this method is very successful for restoring vision in patients with severe corneal damage, the surgery requires sutures to keep the new cornea in place, resulting in a long recovery time and greater potential for complications.
At the Idaho Eye and Laser Center, our corneal specialists also perform DSAEK and DMEK corneal transplants in Southeast Idaho. Also known as a partial thickness corneal transplant, the surgery involves replacing only the damaged section of the back inner layer of the cornea. Healthy donor tissue from an eye bank is also used for this procedure.
Benefits of DSAEK, DMEK
- Less invasive than a traditional corneal transplant
- Smaller surgical incision
- Faster recovery time
- No sutures required
- Less visual distortion
- Reduced risk of problems like dry eye
- Reduced risk of astigmatism
- Greater integrity of the corneal tissue
If you are considering having a corneal transplant, find out if a DSAEK or DMEK corneal transplant might be right for you. Schedule an appointment with Idaho Eye and Laser Center to learn more about your options for visual improvement through corneal implants. Our experienced corneal specialists will discuss vision restoration options for your unique situation.