Corneal Surgery

An unhealthy cornea can affect vision. A transplant is needed when vision cannot be corrected satisfactorily or if painful swelling cannot be relieved by medications or special contact lenses.

Corneal transplant surgery involves removing the damaged or diseased cornea from the eye and replacing it with a healthy cornea. A healthy cornea, which comes from a donor, is sewn in place during the surgery. Occasionally, corneal transplants are rejected causing the cornea to cloud and the vision to deteriorate. When the cornea is damaged by any condition that prevents it from being clear and smooth, it may be impossible to achieve good vision with glasses or contacts. Performing corrective laser surgery may treat some cases of corneal damage. Most often, vision can only be restored with a corneal transplant.