Knowing the Best Options for Cornea Transplant Services
A cornea transplant (keratoplasty) is a surgical procedure that replaces a damaged or diseased cornea. Corneal damage will sometimes heal on its own, but if eye pain and cloudy vision persist, you may need to consider cornea transplant surgery. There are two main options, each with pros and cons, designed for different concerns and treatment needs.
What Does a Cornea Transplant Treat?
A cornea transplant repairs corneal damage to restore clear vision. Inflammation and scarring in the cornea can occur because of an infection or traumatic injury but there are also several eye diseases that cause corneal damage. Keratoconus affects the middle corneal layers, causing them to bulge outward and create a rounded shape that distorts vision. Fuchs’ endothelial corneal dystrophy is a disease that causes cells in the inner layer to die. This leads to painful swelling and thickening of the cornea. A cornea transplant can address all these concerns to restore the health of your eyes and clear vision.
Your Cornea Transplant Options
At Boston Vision, we offer both types of corneal transplants and can help you determine the best choice for your individual treatment at your initial appointment. Your options include:
Traditional Cornea Transplant
Traditional cornea transplant surgery is called a full-thickness transplant or penetrating keratoplasty. Using this method, your eye surgeon will remove a small circle of tissue with an incision penetrating the full thickness of the cornea. This is often required when significant damage or scarring is extended through all the cornea layers. Recovery can take up to one year or more, but most patients gradually restore vision completely.
Partial-Thickness Cornea Transplant
A partial thickness transplant only replaces the layer(s) that are directly affected. For reference, each layer is thinner than human hair. Only replacing one layer lowers the risk of your body rejecting the donor tissue, compared to a full-thickness transplant. Partial-thickness corneal transplants also require smaller incisions, allowing for a quicker recovery process. There are two options for a partial thickness cornea transplant: deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) to replace the middle and outer layers or endothelial keratoplasty to replace the innermost layer.
Schedule an Appointment
To learn more about your options for a cornea transplant in Boston, visit one of our many Boston Vision locations to meet with our team of eye surgeons and ophthalmologists. Schedule an appointment today by calling our office or booking online.
