What Is A Cornea Transplant

The eyes play a critical role in every part of life. The eyes sometimes get affected by some conditions that tend to compromise their functioning. One of the corrective procedures performed on the cornea of the eye is called the cornea transplant. Learning the facts about what is a cornea transplant will explain more regarding this procedure.

A cornea transplant is a surgical procedure aimed at removing the whole or only a portion of a damaged cornea. After the removal, the corneas are often replaced by healthy ones. In some cases, a corneal transplant is also known as keratoplasty or corneal graft. This procedure can be done on an individual due to various reason among them being; improving of general eyesight, relieving of pain in the eye and damage to the corneas.

The corneas are the transparent and outermost layer of the eyes. It serves as a window to the eye, and the inner parts can be visible through it. It helps focus incident light to the light-sensitive structure at the back of the eye called the retina. Damage to this part of the eye prevents light from effectively reaching the retina making an individual perceive distorted images.

Corneal transplants depend on the condition a person is suffering from or the kind of damage the eye parts have undergone. The standard options available are: a full thickness transplant, a reshape or replacement of the outer and middle layers of a cornea and a replacement of deeper parts of the structure.The procedure does not take long and usually, an hour is enough for the completion of the whole procedure. However, the time frame is not applicable to all cases as different circumstances may require otherwise.

Like most surgical procedures, risks are possible when undertaking corneal surgery. The new eye part may be rejected by the body of a recipient due to compatibility issues. Infections and further vision problems are the other risks one faces when undertaking this procedure. Excessive bleeding and formation of cataracts are among the other risks one faces with corneal transplants.

The time needed to completely recover from a corneal transplant is largely dependent on the particular type of transplant one undergoes. Typically, it takes about one and a half years for one to fully enjoy the fruits of a successful corneal procedure. Transplants involving the outer and middle layers of corneas usually take a short time to completely heal. For effective recovery, it is paramount for an individual to take utmost care of their eyes.

Corneal transplants are not suitable for everyone. It is, therefore, important to inform your medical officer of any medical conditions you have before getting the procedure. This helps reduce the risks you face by undergoing the surgery as some conditions may make you unsuitable for a corneal procedure. Furthermore, there are some measures you need to take before the day of an operation. The medical practitioner will provide these measures, and you should follow them up to the latter.

The information presented by the article gives a general insight of what the procedure is. Such information is helpful to individuals experiencing problems with their corneas and seek for transplants.

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