PROCEDURES AVAILABLE — CORNEAL TRANSPLANTATION

Corneal transplant (also called corneal grafting or penetrating keratoplasty) is the most common and most successful of all transplant operations being done today. Over 44,000 are performed each year in the United States alone, with over 90% resulting in significantly improved vision.

A normal cornea is crystal clear and its surface is smooth. If anything interferes with that clarity or smoothness, light passing through the cornea will be distorted, causing a hazy image and blurred eyesight.

Many kinds of damage to the cornea can cause it to become swollen, scarred, cloudy (even opaque), or develop irregularities in the surface. Such damage can result from direct corneal trauma, such as being hit in the eye with a sharp object, or infection from bacteria, a virus, a fungus, or other organism.

A transplant operation requires a healthy cornea from a donor who is recently deceased. The source of the donor tissue is usually a local or national eye bank.

The operation takes about an hour and may be done under local or general anesthesia. There is little or no pain. Only the central part of your cornea is removed. It is replaced with a clear corneal "button," which is sutured into position with very fine stitches. To assure precise placement of the graft, an operating microscope is used, which greatly improves the surgeon's view.

To ensure proper healing, the sutures stay in place for several months to a year or more. Sometimes they are left in place permanently.

Screening Consultation
Give us a call to set up your complimentary screening consultation, 541-687-2110.

Related Information About Corneal Transplantation:

• Risks and Limitations
• Surgery Center
• Patient Instructions
• Financial Responsibility
• CapitalOne Healthcare Finance
• Procedures Available Main Page

Commonly Asked Questions:

How soon after surgery will I see well?
Full visual recovery takes up to a year, but most patients with successful corneal transplants enjoy good vision for many years.

Will a cornea transplant hurt?
The operation takes about an hour and may be done under local or general anesthesia. There is little or no pain.

Will my insurance cover corneal transplantation?
Most health insurance plans will cover at least a part of the cost of a cornea transplant; the amount varies depending on the health plan. For financing the remaining uncovered balance, we highly recommend CapitalOne Healthcare Finance. Find out more about it here.