Elk County Eye Clinic Johnsonburg Rd St. Marys PA 15857 Center for Advanced Eye Care Bradford, PA 16701 Eye Examination
Dr. Luis Washington Lu, Eye-MD, F.A.C.S. is a Medical Doctor and Medical Director at the Elk County Eye Clinic LASIK surgery Offices in St. Marys and Bradford Eye Glasses and Accessories Eye Care Resources Contact Elk County Eye Clinic
 
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Ophthalmic Freebie

Glaucoma accounts for 10% of blindness in the U.S. But because there often are no warning symptoms, half of the nearly 3 million Americans with glaucoma go undiagnosed until it is too late.

If you lack health insurance, you may be eligible for a free eye exam through the Eye Care America program of the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

To learn more, call:

1-800-391-3937 or go to:

www.eyecareamerica.org

  

Topics > Corneal Conditions > Frequently Asked Questions

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens during corneal transplant surgery?

Corneal transplant surgery is a delicate procedure, requiring the use of an operating microscope. Most of these surgeries are done on an outpatient basis, with no hospitalization necessary, although some patients may need to be kept overnight. Patients generally receive either local or general anesthesia, depending on their age and health.

 

Only the central part of the donor cornea is used. The surgeon determines the size required for the surgery then, using a special surgical instrument, he removes only that portion of the donor cornea. A similar sized portion of the patient's damaged cornea is removed and the donated healthy cornea is sutured in place.

 

The suture material used to stitch and hold the transplant is so fine-about one-third the thickness of a human hair-that it is difficult to see.

 

Surgery takes approximately one to two hours and patients are usually discharged three hours later. Office visits in the first year following surgery are frequent, but are later reduced to three-to-six month intervals. Topical eyedrops, used frequently in the beginning, are also gradually reduced.

 

By using a computerized corneal topographer and other diagnostic tools, physicians can determine the amount of astigmatism (curvature) caused by the stitches (sutures) following surgery. Removal of the sutures is usually done a year after the transplant. This amount of time may vary, with some surgeons removing one or two of the sutures earlier, and others removing them later. Generally, the better the vision, the longer the sutures are kept in place.

 

What is the prognosis after corneal transplant surgery?

 

The prognosis for good vision after a corneal transplant varies with the disease for which the transplant is performed. For example, keratoconus and corneal dystrophy patients can expect good vision, but for patients who have had chemical burns, the prognosis is poor.

 

Corneal transplant rejection, which is much less serious than kidney or heart transplant rejection, occurs in approximately 10 to 15 percent of patients and can be countered with topical cortisone drops. This is successful in most patients and vision results are good. However, if the medication is not successful, another corneal transplant can usually be done, although this in only occurs in 1 percent of patients.

 

What causes corneal dystrophies?

Corneal dystrophies tend to run in families and are considered genetic. Some dystrophies are associated with dominant genes. In this case, a "dominant" gene for a corneal dystrophy is needed from only one parent for a child to inherit the condition. "Recessive" genes require both parents to carry the gene for a corneal dystrophy for the child to inherit the condition.

 

What are the most common types of corneal dystrophies?

The three most common types of stromal corneal dystrophies are:

 

  • Dominant Granular Dystrophy. This type of corneal dystrophy usually starts in the first decade and appears initially as small white dots in the center of the cornea. Or, they may appear as lines radiating from the center of the cornea. These dots or white lines will increase in size and number until they start appearing as dense opacities
  • Recessive Macular Dystrophy. Usually starting sometime in the first two decades, recessive macular dystrophy is first seen as a thin, superficial veil. However, over time the patient experiences increasing haziness in the central part of the cornea as well as increasing isolated opacities
  • Dominant Lattice Dystrophy. This type of dystrophy usually strikes between the ages of 5 and 20 although it has been seen in infants. On examination, the patient may appear to have a lattice of fine lines. By age 40, the center of the cornea may become irregular, with various opacities. Some patients may experience acute painful attacks that may cause early vision loss; others with this condition may have a relatively slow, less severe progression

Other types of corneal dystrophies include: Anterior Basement Membrane Dystrophy, Fuchs' Dystrophy, Meesmann's Dystrophy and Reis-Bucklers' Dystrophy.

 

If corneal dystrophies run in my family, should I see a genetics counselor before having children?

It is always helpful to consult with a genetics counselor when you or your partner's family have a history of any type of inheritable illness. This will allow you to make informed decisions regarding the health of your family. For more information, speak to your primary care specialist.