Corneal Transplant

Penetrating keratoplasty

Where the full thickness of the cornea is replaced with a full-thickness donor cornea.

This surgery requires sutures (stitches) to keep corneal graft in place. Sutures might be removed by your doctor at a later time.

Optical penetrating keratoplasty – It is done to restore vision.

Therapeutic keratoplasty – It is done where corneal infection or ulcer is not getting controlled by medical management

Tectonic keratoplasty – it is done in cases where there is tissue support needed

Anterior lamellar keratoplasty (ALK)

It is done when the superficial layers of the cornea are affected. The deep stromal layers and the endothelial layer of the patient are preserved.

Many times this graft will not need sutures although that decision will be taken by the treating surgeon

Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK)

Where the cornea is affected till the deep stroma but the posteriormost layer i.e. endothelium is undamaged.

The benefit of this surgery is reduced chances of endothelial rejection as the patient has his or her own endothelial layer.

Endothelial keratoplasty

There are two types of EK.

Here patient’s endothelial layer along with the Descemet membrane is removed from the back side of cornea

Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty ( DSEK)

The posteriormost layer i.e. endothelium along with the Descemet membrane and posterior layers of stroma from donor tissue is transplanted to the host cornea.

Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty ( DMEK)

This uses a much thinner layer of donor tissue i.e endothelial cells along with the Descemet membrane

Keratoprosthesis ( artificial corneal transplant)

If you aren’t eligible for a cornea transplant with a donor cornea, you might receive an artificial cornea. This operation is known as keratoprosthesis.

Your doctor will discuss which method of cornea transplant surgery is best for you, tell you what to expect during the operation, and explain the risks of the operation.