Corneal Transplantation (Keratoplasty): A Modern Solution for Vision Problems

Corneal Transplantation (Keratoplasty)

With advancing and evolving science, technology is also making significant progress. These developments, particularly in the medical field, provide solutions for the treatment of many diseases. These solutions aim to fundamentally change human life and offer remedies for diseases that seem impossible to treat.

These diseases seriously negatively impact people's lives and minimize their struggle to survive. On the other hand, breakthroughs in medicine provide hope to patients for diseases they considered untreatable.

One of these treatment methods is corneal transplantation. Although it seems impossible, this procedure successfully performed by Turkish doctors is progressing toward becoming an easier operation with advances in science and technology.

In this article, which we have researched for you, we will attempt to answer what corneal transplantation is, how this surgery is performed, and what awaits patients during the recovery process.

What is Corneal Transplantation (Keratoplasty)?

The cornea is the transparent, avascular, and dome-shaped layer located in front of the iris layer of the eye, or the colored part of the eye. When a person performs the seeing process, light rays first pass through the cornea and are filtered to reach the retina, allowing vision to occur.

The transparency and perfection of the cornea are very important for the quality of vision. If the cornea loses its transparency for various reasons, vision becomes unclear and blurring begins.

If deformations and defects occur in a person's cornea, their vision can be corrected through corneal transplantation surgery. These corneas are specifically obtained from people who have passed away but whose corneas have remained healthy. If the details regarding the donor's cause of death, medical history, and other information are unknown, this tissue is not taken from that person.

Corneal transplants generally result successfully. This is because the cornea's transparent, clear, avascular, and nerve-free structure facilitates the transplant procedure, and the body cannot reject this tissue.

How is Keratoplasty (Corneal Transplant) Surgery Performed?

Corneal transplantation can be performed using multiple methods. It may be a full-thickness corneal transplant, or the procedure can be performed by transplanting only the upper or lower layers.

The duration of this surgery, assuming no complications develop or no additional treatment procedures are applied, is approximately 30-40 minutes.

Corneal transplant surgeries are performed under either general or local anesthesia. During the surgery, the eye and surrounding area are cleaned and disinfected. Subsequently, a clean drape is placed around the eye, and the surgical procedure begins.

The center of the cornea to be incised is marked, and an incision is made with a vacuum blade called a trephine, removing the cornea from its place. On the other hand, a healthy cornea of the same measurements to be transplanted is also removed. The healthy cornea is applied to the patient's eye and sutured into place using various suturing techniques, and the procedure is completed.

Before completion, the doctor finishes the surgery by applying an antibiotic medication to the eye.

Vision Rate After Corneal Transplantation

The vision rate after corneal transplant surgery varies depending on the condition of the cornea before surgery. Following surgery, while vision improves in most patients, in some patients this rate does not improve immediately, showing instead a gradual vision improvement rate spread over weeks or months.

Recovery Process After Corneal Transplantation

The factors awaiting patients undergoing corneal transplantation during the recovery process can be listed as follows:

• Doctors call their patients for checkups three times in one month: on the first day, the seventh day, and the 30th day.
• After one month, this schedule is repeated at regular intervals on a monthly basis.
• Medications prescribed by the doctor containing corticosteroids and antibiotics must be used without interruption.
• Watering and irritation in the eye following surgery are normal.
• It is very important that the patient remembers the surgery they underwent, and that both they and their surroundings pay careful attention to the eye.
• Complete and perfect vision after surgery may take up to 1 year. Patience is required during this period.
• Until the doctor says otherwise, the patient should wear an eye patch while showering or sleeping.
• Since suture removal may take several months, the patient should use protective glasses according to the doctor's advice.
• The patient may need to wear glasses or contact lenses after surgery.
• Matters such as whether the patient can drive or return to their routine work life will be determined and communicated by the doctor.

Precautions to be Taken After Corneal Transplantation

Since suture removal takes a long time after corneal transplantation and complete healing may take 1 year, the patient must take care of themselves and their eye during this period. They should not miss scheduled check-ups and must strictly follow the doctor's advice.

If necessary, an eye patch should be worn while sleeping and showering. Until the sutures are removed, protective glasses should be worn to protect the eye.

Most importantly, the patient should maintain communication with the doctor and immediately inform them of any adverse situation that may arise.

What are the Indications for Keratoplasty?

Many eye diseases can return to their previous healthy state through corneal transplantation. Diseases treated through transplantation are as follows:

• Outward bulging and swelling of the person's cornea
• Fuchs dystrophy disease
• Corneal thinning
• Scarring (scars) resulting from corneal infection and/or trauma
• Corneal clouding
• Corneal edema
• Corneal ulcers resulting from infection
• Damage from complications remaining from a previous surgery—these diseases can be treated through corneal transplants.

What is Penetrating Keratoplasty?

Penetrating, or full-thickness keratoplasty, refers to the transplantation of a healthy donor cornea to replace a diseased cornea with reduced vision, with the graft being the full thickness of the cornea.

This treatment method is applied to treat corneal tissue that has been damaged, such as from thinning or perforation. This procedure is also performed with the aim of increasing visual acuity.

What is Therapeutic Keratoplasty?

Therapeutic keratoplasty is the term given to transplants performed to remove diseased corneal tissue from the eye in cases where infection or inflammation of the cornea does not respond to treatments.

Corneal Transplant Costs in Turkey

Turkey demonstrates outstanding success in corneal transplantation and other serious surgeries, just as it does in many other fields. Investments made in the healthcare sector are showing their effect, resulting in advanced technological and scientific developments.

Many patients consider having surgery in Turkey more practical than having surgery in their own countries. For this reason, they make their choice in this direction.

Turkey's advanced healthcare system, experienced doctors, and outstanding success rates justify the reasons for preference. If you also wish to have corneal transplant treatment in Turkey, please contact us for answers to all your questions and detailed pricing information.