1. Sierra Nicolas
Martinez Wilson
Martinez Maria Ines
TRANSPLANT OF
CORNEA

2. Transplant of Cornea
Definition :
In corneal transplant, also known as
keratoplasty, a patient's damaged
cornea is replaced by the cornea from
the eye of a human cadaver.This is the
most common type of human
transplant surgery and has the highest
success rate. Eye banks acquire and
store eyes from donors to supply the
need for transplant corneas.

3. Description
The cornea is the
transparent layer of
tissue at the front of
the eye. It is
composed almost
entirely of a special
type of collagen. It
normally contains
no blood vessels,
but because it
contains nerve
endings, cornea
damage can be very
painful.

4. Corneal transplant is used when:
*vision is lost because the cornea has been
damaged by disease or traumatic injury.
*tissue growth on the cornea (pterygium)
*a skin disorder that can affect the eyes.
*some of these conditions cause cloudiness of
the cornea; others alter its natural curvature,
which also can reduce vision quality.

5. Preparation
Surgeons may discuss the need for corneal transplants after other
viable options to remedy corneal trauma or disease. No special
preparation for corneal transplant is needed. Some ophthalmologists
may request that the patient have a complete physical examination
before surgery. Any active eye infection or eye inflammation usually
needs to be brought under control before surgery.The patient may
also be asked to skip breakfast on the day of surgery.

6. Transplant
In a corneal transplant, the eye is held open with a speculum . A laser is
used to make an initial cut in the existing cornea. The surgeon uses
scissors to remove it, and a donor cornea is placed in the patient cornea,
a disc of tissue is removed from the center of the eye and replaced by a
corresponding disc from a donor eye. The circular incision is made using
an instrument called a trephine, which resembles a cookie cutter.

7. Risks:
Corneal transplants
are highly
successful, with over
90% of the
operations in United
States achieving
restoration of sight.
However, there is
always some risk
associated with any
surgery.
Complications that
can occur include
infection, glaucoma,
retinal detachment,
cataract formation,
and rejection.

8. Aftercare
Corneal transplant is often
performed on an outpatient basis,
although some patients need brief
hospitalization after surgery. The
patient will wear an eye patch at
least overnight. An eye shield or
glasses must be worn to protect
the eye until the surgical wound
has healed. Eye drops will be
prescribed for the patient to use for
several weeks after surgery. Some
patients require medication for at
least a year. These drops include
antibiotics to prevent infection as
well as corticosteroids to reduce
inflammation and prevent graft
rejection.

10. Deseased cornea
* If the transplant is successful, how
long will it be until vision is restored?
Transplanted cornea
*Are there any alternatives that
might restore my vision?

11. THE END.