Corneal transplantation is a surgical procedure in which damaged or diseased cornea is replaced with donor corneal tissue. It is alternatively known as corneal grafting or penetrating keratoplasty. Corneal transplantation is the only means of restoring full vision of a clouded cornea. If the rest of the eye functions normally, cornea can be transplanted and vision can be restored. Most patients who have undergone cornea transplant surgery have reported vision restoration and high level of satisfaction with the outcome of the procedure. However, it should be remembered that the success of the surgery depends on the extent of normalcy of other parts of the eye. Preparing for the surgery: Your initial consultation with the surgeon should be scheduled a few weeks before the surgery. During the consultation, the doctor makes a thorough examination of the eye to determine the health of the eye and will tell you whether you are a good candidate for corneal transplantation or not. Ask the doctor any questions that you have about the procedure. You may also be required to take up a couple of lab tests before the surgery.
Donor cornea tissue: The corneas used for transplantation comes from a donor who has donate their eyes after death. The donor corneal tissue is screened for AIDS and other diseases. If found healthy, the tissue is stored in the eye bank. Any patient who is need of the donor cornea tissue can approach the eye bank and get the donor tissue for corneal transplantation. Procedure: The surgery is performed on an outpatient basis. Either general anesthesia or local anesthesia is administered to the patient before performing the surgery. An eyelid speculum is placed to keep the eyelids open. Some lubrication is used to prevent the eye from drying. In addition to this, eye drops may be administered to numb the eye during surgery. The surgeon then removes the damaged cornea tissue from your eye and places the donor tissue into place. The metal ring around the eye is removed and antibiotic eye drops are administered. Finally, the surgeon places a plastic shield over the eye to protect it from being touched or rubbed. The entire procedure takes two hours to be performed and typically, the patient goes home once the anesthesia effect wears off. Risks: Although corneal transplants are highly successful, the surgery has not been successful in some cases. Possible complications with keratoplasty include infection of the eye, bleeding after surgery and failure of the transplant itself. Cost: In Western countries the cost surgery is relatively higher than in Eastern countries like India and others. The treatment costs about $ 4,000 in the US, but in India, the patient form US will have to pay just a fraction of the price he would pay back home. The price difference is one of the reasons for foreign patients opt for corneal transplant in India. The healthcare sector in India is one of the best in the world. Hospitals in India are equipped with the latest technology and experienced doctors who have successfully performed many cornea transplantation surgeries. If you are planning a corneal transplant, traveling to India for treatment along with a holiday plan will benefit you as it gives you enough time for you to explore some of the exiting destinations.
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