Health Library

Corneal transplant - series

Normal anatomy

The cornea is the clear covering of the eye over the colored iris and the pupil.

Indications

Corneal transplantation is recommended for:

• Severe corneal infection, injury, damage, or scarring
• Corneas that no longer allow light to pass through (opaque), often secondary to lens surgery (see cataract surgery), infections, and inherited diseases of the cornea

Incision

Corneal transplant is done with the patient awake and pain-free (local anesthesia). An incision is made around the outer edge of the cornea.

Procedure

The damaged cornea is removed and the corneal graft is stitched in place. The corneal graft is a transplant from a brain dead donor maintained on life support.

Aftercare

Transplanted corneas have a long life expectancy. The benefits of corneal transplant are significant, and include significant improvement in vision.

Review Date: 8/22/2022  

Reviewed By: Franklin W. Lusby, MD, Ophthalmologist, Lusby Vision Institute, La Jolla, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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