The cornea is the clear surface at the front of your eye that is used for focusing. If the cornea is damaged by trauma, infection, or disease, it may become swollen or scarred. This can result in significant vision loss and pain. Several conditions may require a corneal transplant. You and your ophthalmologist can decide what is best for your situation. Corneal transplants are the most commonly performed transplant surgery and have an excellent success rate.
What are Cornea Procedures?
There are a variety of corneal procedures available depending on the specific condition affecting the eye, such as keratoconus, scarring, infections, or diseases like Fuchs’ dystrophy. Some options focus on strengthening or reshaping the cornea, including corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL), which helps halt the progression of keratoconus, and laser vision correction procedures like LASIK or PRK, which reshape the cornea to correct refractive errors. Additional treatments include corneal inlays for improving reading vision and Intacs, small plastic inserts that help flatten and stabilize the cornea in cases of keratoconus. Surface-level issues like scarring or recurrent erosions can be treated with phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK), which uses a laser to remove damaged tissue.
More advanced conditions may require partial or full corneal transplants, known as keratoplasty. These include penetrating keratoplasty (PK), a full-thickness transplant, or more targeted procedures like DSEK/DSAEK and DMEK, which replace only the inner corneal layers and are commonly used for Fuchs’ dystrophy or endothelial failure. DALK is another option that replaces the front layers of the cornea while preserving the healthy inner layer, reducing risks and recovery time. Other therapeutic procedures—such as amniotic membrane grafts, corneal debridement, or treatments for severe dry eye—support healing and protect the cornea when it’s damaged or diseased.
What Can I Expect?
The surgery will be performed on an outpatient basis. Local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia may be used depending on your age and medical condition. During this procedure, the damaged portion of the cornea will be carefully removed and then replaced with the new donated cornea.
Advancements in modern corneal transplant surgery allow for the transplantation of certain layers of the cornea resulting in faster recovery and improved vision. At Excel Eye Center, we offer the most advanced diagnostic and surgical techniques available.
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