Corneal Transplant Surgery

A cornea transplant replaces diseased or scarred corneal tissue with healthy tissue from an organ donor. There are two main types of cornea transplants: traditional, full thickness cornea transplant (also known as penetrating keratoplasty, or PK) and back layer cornea transplant (also known as endothelial keratoplasty, or EK).

When Do You Need A Cornea Transplant?

A healthy, clear cornea is essential for good vision. If your cornea is damaged due to eye disease or eye injury, it can become swollen, scarred or severely misshapen and distort your vision.

A cornea transplant may be necessary if eyeglasses or contact lenses can't restore your functional vision, or if painful swelling can't be relieved by medications or special contact lenses.

Certain conditions can affect the clarity of your cornea and put you at greater risk of corneal failure. These include:

• Scarring from infections, such as eye herpes or fungal keratitis.
• Scarring from trichiasis, when eyelashes grow inwardly, toward the eye, and rub against the cornea.
• Hereditary conditions such as Fuchs' dystrophy.