Corneal transplantation

The corneal is the clear layer on the front of your eye that helps focus light so you can see clearly. If it gets damaged, you might need to have it replaced. The surgeon will remove all or part of your corneal and replace it with a healthy layer of tissue. The new corneal comes from people who chose to donate this tissue when they died.

A corneal transplant, also called keratoplasty, can bring back vision, lessen pain, and possible improve the appearance of your corneal if it is white and scarred.

Who Needs One?

The light rays that pass through a damaged corneal can get distorted and change your vision.

A corneal transplant corrects several eye problems, including:

• Corneal scarring because of an injury or an infection
• Corneal ulcers or “sores” from an infection
• A medical condition that makes your cornea bulge out (keratoconus)
• Thinning, clouding, or swelling of the corneal
• Inherited eye diseases, such as Fuchs’ dystrophy and others
• Problems caused by an earlier eye operation