The Cornea is the clear portion in the front part of the eye that is similar to the transparent covering on a watch. When injury, degeneration or infection occurs that causes the Cornea to become cloudy, vision will be disrupted. Only by replacing a portion of the Cornea with a clear window taken from a donor eye can vision be restored.
Not everyone with a corneal disease can be helped by corneal transplantation. The Cornea, because it is free of blood vessels, is one of the few tissues in the human body that may be transplanted from one human being to another with a large degree of success. The absence of blood vessels in both the donor and host cornea reduces the allergic reaction, in which immunoglobulins are carried through blood flow, and permits the body to retain and not reject the "foreign" Cornea. Thus only conditions in which the Cornea is free of blood vessels are suitable for transplantation.
In the postoperative period the most common complications include a wound leak, suture breakage and wound dehiscence, infection and graft rejection. If detected early and managed appropriately, these complications can be controlled or eliminated, enabling a high level of success for the operation. Thus, careful monitoring by the surgeon is required.
Dr. Leslie Doctor is a Board Certified Ophthalmologist at Doctor & Associates. If you or someone you know has suffered from Cornea disease or trauma and would like to learn more or schedule a consultation regarding Corneal Transplants please feel free to contact us at 203-227- 4113.
