Corneal Transplant Surgery In India

Corneal Transplant Surgery in India: Restoring Vision

A corneal transplant surgery is an operation that is performed to replace the cornea with the corneal tissue from a donor. It is also called keratoplasty. The cornea is a transparent dome-like structure letting light enter the eye. It plays a major role in the eye’s ability to see.
A person must undergo corneal transplant surgery if they have a damaged cornea. Corneal damage may lead to blurred vision and eye pain. Here, we will learn about corneal transplant surgery and how it is carried out in India.

How does the cornea become diseased?

Many problems cause damage to the cornea. Some of the major reasons include:
● Keratoconus is a condition in which the cornea becomes cone-shaped and leads to blurred vision.
● Endothelial Decompensation: In this condition, the cornea becomes swollen.
● Scarring: the cornea becomes scarred due to inflammation in the eye.

Other conditions that can be treated with cornea transplant surgery include:

● Thinning or tearing of cornea
● Fuchs Dystrophy, a genetic condition
● Complications caused by previous eye surgery
● Corneal ulcers

Types of Corneal Transplant Surgeries Performed in India

With the advancement in medical technology, the entire cornea or only part of it can be replaced depending on the damage. The different types of cornea transplant surgeries include:

● Endothelial Keratoplasty: In this type of surgery, the inner layer of the cornea is replaced with the healthy cornea of the donor. This is mainly used to treat patients suffering from Fuchs dystrophy.
● Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty: In this surgery, the outer layer of the damaged cornea is replaced with a healthy outer layer of the donor cornea. It is used to treat people suffering from keratoconus.
● Penetrating Keratoplasty: The entire cornea is replaced with a healthy donor cornea in this surgery. It is done when all the layers of the cornea have gone opaque.
● Keratoprosthesis: It involves replacing the entire cornea with an artificial cornea. This procedure is used when a cornea is so severely damaged that it cannot be repaired with a natural donor or when a previous donor cornea transplant has failed.

Preparation

You’ll have to do these things before your cornea transplant:
● An eye exam: During surgery, the eye doctor will look for conditions that might cause complications.
● Eye measurements.: Eye measurements are done to get a donor cornea that fits your eye.
● A review of all your medications and supplements: Some medicines or supplements might need to be stopped before or after the transplant.
● Other eye problems: You might not be able to get a cornea transplant if you have unrelated eye problems. Those problems will be treated before surgery by your eye doctor.

Finding a cornea donor

Corneas used in transplants come from deceased people. Using corneas from people who died from unknown causes is not allowed. The corneas of people with previous eye surgery, eye disease, or certain conditions, like diseases passed from one person to another, aren’t used either.
In contrast to liver and kidney transplants, cornea transplants don’t require tissue matching. India has many donor corneas, so there is a short waiting list.

Knowing Cornea Transplant Surgery in Detail

Before the Surgery

Before undergoing cornea transplant surgery, it is important to be prepared physically and mentally. Here are some key steps that are taken before the surgery:
● Make sure to provide a detailed medical history to your doctor so that he may know about any of your pre-existing health conditions.
● It would be best to undergo a series of tests to determine eye shape, size, and thickness. This will help the surgeon determine the appropriate donor cornea.
● Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of the surgery.
● Follow your doctor’s instructions if you need to continue or stop any medicines.
● Maintaining good health before the surgery by eating a balanced diet and staying hydrated.
● Quit smoking and drinking before the surgery.
● You will need someone to take you back home after the surgery as you cannot drive.

During the Surgery

● The corneal transplant surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure.
● You will be positioned carefully on the operating table.
● Local anesthesia is given through eye drops or injections to numb the eye. In some cases, general anesthesia is also used, especially for children with specific medical conditions.
● The eye surgeon will choose how to transplant the healthy donor cornea based on your specific needs:
● In some cases, the surgeon removes the circular part of the cornea and replaces it with a matching donor cornea.
● Occasionally, surgeons remove only a thin layer from the front of the cornea and replace it with donor tissue.
● In other cases, only the damaged inner layer of the cornea is removed, and healthy donor tissue is placed on the back surface of the cornea. An air bubble is then put in the eye to push this new layer of cells into its palace so the cornea can heal properly.
● The surgeon uses sutures to place the cornea in place.
● These sutures are tiny and heal in some months.
● After the surgery, your eye will be bandaged to prevent injury and promote healing.

After the surgery

● You will be taken to the recovery area, and you will be closely examined to make sure that there are no further complications.
● You’ll get medicines. Medications can help with swelling, pain, and infection. You can prevent cornea rejection using eye drops that suppress your immune system.
● Make sure you wear eye protection. Protect your eye while it heals with an eye shield or glasses.
● Lay on your back. You might have to do this after surgery, depending on the type. It keeps the new tissue in place.
● Keep yourself safe. Take it easy after your cornea transplant. Work your way up to your usual activities, including exercise, when your eye doctor approves. Make sure you don’t rub or press on your eye.
● You’ll have to take extra precautions to keep your eyes healthy for the rest of your life.
● Keep coming back for follow-ups. You’ll have to see your eye doctor regularly for a year after surgery. Your progress will be monitored, and complications will be looked for.

Benefits of the surgery

The benefits of cornea transplant surgery include:

● Clear Vision
● Pain relief
● Restoration of overall eye health
● Correction of astigmatism
● Enhanced quality of life
● Safe procedure with a low completion rate
● It can be performed on any age group, from older people to children

Risks with the Surgery

The biggest concern with cornea transplants is rejection. Rejection means your immune system identifies the donated cornea as foreign and rejects it. The risk of rejection varies depending on the surgical technique used and the condition of your eye.

Your eye can reject a transplanted cornea, so your surgeon may recommend against surgery. Eye infections and severe dry eyes increase rejection chances.

You’ll need to use eye drops for at least a year to reduce the risk of rejection after a cornea transplant.

A cornea transplant can also cause these complications:

● An infection inside or on the cornea.
● Bleeding.
● Increased pressure inside your eye (glaucoma).
● Corneal fluid leakage.
● Retinal detachment.
● Problems with your vision because of an irregular corneal curve.
● An endothelial transplant held in place by an air bubble can detach.
● Cataract

Results of the surgery

Most people who get corneal transplant surgery get their vision back after the surgery. The results of the surgery also depend on your health. The risk of cornea rejection continues for years after the surgery. Therefore, please make sure to continue the follow-up appointments with your surgeon. The cornea rejection can be managed by medicines easily.

Correction of vision after surgery

The first few days after surgery, your vision might be worse. The new cornea needs time to adjust. It can take a while for your vision to improve.

You’ll have to wait a few weeks or months for the outer layer of your cornea to heal. Your eye doctor will make adjustments to improve your vision after it heals, like:

● Getting rid of uneven corneas. Your cornea might look weird because of the stitches that hold the donor cornea in place. It can cause astigmatism. Astigmatism can blur your vision. Astigmatism might be treated by releasing some stitches.
● Fixing vision problems. Refractive errors, like nearsightedness and farsightedness, can be corrected. Your eye doctor may recommend glasses, contact lenses, or laser surgery.

Top Hospitals and Doctors Doing Corneal Transplant Surgery in India

How can you avail the best Corneal Transplant surgery in India By Step process?

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