Keratoplasty is the surgical method of transplanting the part of the cornea with the corneal tissue obtained from a donor. More than 12 million people in the US need corneal transplantation. However, only one in 70 such people manage to get a donor for transplantation.
If you are a resident of Modesto, CA, seeking keratoplasty surgery, reaching out to an Eye center in Modesto, CA, can provide you with the solution. Only the finest of ophthalmologists can perform delicate keratoplasty surgery. So, you must go ahead with a professional and experienced surgeon only.
Who needs keratoplasty
A healthy, smooth, and clear cornea is essential for good vision. However, if your cornea is swollen, scarred, or damaged, your cornea will fail to focus correctly, and you will experience blurry vision.
So, if your cornea is damaged and cannot heal on its own, your ophthalmologist will recommend keratoplasty. The process requires a human donor whose cornea is surgically transplanted into your eye to replace your damaged cornea.
Here’s why someone might need to undergo keratoplasty when:
- Someone’s cornea turns into a cone shape from a healthy dome shape due to a condition known as keratoconus.
- The cells of the cornea’s inner layer fail to work effectively due to a condition known as FuchsFuch’s dystrophy.
- An injury or infection scars the cornea.
- When a surgical process damages the cornea
A keratoplasty surgery intends to restore vision, reduce pain, and improve the appearance of the damaged cornea.
Different methods of corneal transplant
Depending on your condition and the tools and techniques employed by your ophthalmologist, one of the following corneal transplant surgery may be recommended for you:
- If your cornea’s front and inner layers are damaged, your entire cornea will be replaced. This process is called a full-thickness corneal transplant or penetrating keratoplasty (PK).
- If the thin back layer of your cornea is healthy but the top and middle layers require transplantation, your ophthalmologist will go for partial thickness corneal transplant or deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK).
- If the thin back layer of your cornea, known as the endothelium, is damaged, your surgeon will perform endothelial keratoplasty (EK), which can be further divided into two types: Descemet’s Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty and Descemet’s Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty.
What to expect after a vision correction surgery
Your ophthalmologist will tape a shade on your eyes after a keratoplasty surgery to keep it safe and monitor your condition thoroughly. It will help if you keep the following in mind while recovering from a keratoplasty surgery:
- Ensure you take your medications on time.
- Continue to wear your eye shield to protect them.
- Keep your eye safe from injuries, and do not rub it.
- Ensure to revisit your ophthalmologist for follow-ups.
You might not see an instant improvement in your vision and may have to wear glasses or contact lenses to gain perfect vision after surgery.
