Corneal transplant surgery
Understanding the Cornea
How Does Corneal Transplantation Act?
Reasons for Undergoing a Corneal Transplant
Varieties of Corneal Transplants:
The method for corneal transplantation varies depending on the affected corneal layer:
- Penetrating Keratoplasty: This full-thickness transplant is executed when all layers of the cornea are injured.
- Endothelial Transplant (e.g., DMEK): This is instructed when the innermost layer of the cornea, the endothelium, is compromised.
- Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty: This approach aims at the foremost layers of the cornea, mainly the stroma when they are impacted.
Each type of transplant addresses specific layers of the cornea, ensuring tailored treatments that best suit the patient’s needs.
This interpretation strives to provide a clear and comprehensive explanation of the cornea and corneal transplants, tailored for more acceptable readability and understanding.
Penetrating keratoplasty
Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty
The benefits of a DALK compared to a traditional full thickness corneal transplant (Penetrating Keratoplasty) are several
- There is a significantly reduced risk of your immune system rejection your transplant
- There is a lower risk of developing high pressure in the eye (glaucoma) in the weeks and months following surgery.
- There is a lower risk of bleeding during the surgery
Descemet’s membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK)
In some diseases, only the inside layer (endothelium) is affected, causing corneal oedema (swelling) and clouding.
DMEK is a modern type of corneal transplant operation in which the inside layer of your cornea (endothelium) is replaced with the inside layer from a donor cornea through a small incision (opening).
The endothelium from the donor (transplant or graft) is inserted and pressed in position against the back of your cornea by a bubble of gas.
You can see a DMEK corneal transplant being performed here.