Corneal Transplants

in Visalia, Fresno and Tulare, California

Your cornea is the dome-shaped, transparent surface of your eye. A healthy cornea is essential for sharp, clear vision and focusing ability. When corneal function is diminished by illness or other factors, a cornea transplant may be recommended to restore your vision. The medical term for cornea transplant is keratoplasty. Dr. Murad Sunalp is a board certified ophthalmologist highly trained and experienced in this delicate procedure.

Cornea transplants are commonly performed. The National Eye Institute states 40,000 people, mostly older adults, undergo the procedure yearly in the United States.

Who is a candidate for cornea transplant?

Individuals experiencing these conditions of the cornea may be recommended for cornea transplant:

• Thinning
• Scarring due to infection or injury
• Clouding
• Swelling
• Ulcers

The Transplant Procedure

Corneal transplant replaces part of your cornea with a cornea lovingly donated by the family of a deceased loved one.

The most common cornea transplant is called penetrating keratoplasty. During this procedure, Dr. Sunalp cuts through your cornea using a ‘trephine.’ The trephine works like a tiny cookie cutter, removing a small disc shape called the ‘button.’ Your donor cornea, which has been trimmed to fit precisely into this disc shape, is placed into the opening, and Dr. Sunalp finely stitches the donor cornea into its new position.

The procedure for performing penetrating keratoplasty takes about an hour. You will be given a sedative prior to surgery beginning, so you may or may not remain awake during the surgery, although you may be aware of the surgeon’s movements. There is no pain, because your eye is numbed with anesthetics.

What Happens After Surgery

When your surgery is completed, you’ll rest for an hour or so before going home. Dr. Sunalp will provide you with a protective shield to wear over your eye for greater comfort and protection during recovery. You’ll probably be able to remove the shield in about three days. Dr. Sunalp will also provide you with eye drops to be used for controlling swelling and guarding against infection, and can also prescribe artificial tears if dry eyes are a concern for you.

The day following your surgery, you’ll meet with Dr. Sunalp to check on the healing process. You’ll visit Dr. Sunalp every week or two for the first four weeks, and then about every two weeks for the next three months. Complete healing can take up to one year.

During the first month of healing, Dr. Sunalp will explain how to protect your eye in the following ways:

• During the day, wear a protective patch or glasses. At night, wear the shield.
• When showering or washing your hair, avoid getting water in your eye.
• Avoid exposing your eye to dust and sand that can irritate and forestall the healing process.
• Avoid heavy lifting, long periods of exercise, or other activities that can increase the pressure in your eye.
• Slow down as you move to adjust to vision changes that occur as your eye heals.

Depending on your overall health and surgical outcome, you may or may not continue to need corrective lenses.

Risks and Complications

Although cornea transplants are a common, relatively safe procedure, all surgery carries some risk. Risks from cornea transplant include:

• Reduced visual acuity
• Increased eye redness
• Pain and sensitivity, especially to light
• Flashes of light or floaters

If you develop any of these symptoms, or if your symptoms persist for longer than six hours, contact Dr. Sunalp immediately. Prompt treatment is extremely important to the ongoing health of your transplanted cornea.

Other rare but serious complications may occur, including:

• Infection
• Wound issue, such as a broken stitch
• Hazing or scarring due cornea imperfections
• Bleeding
• Iritis (swelling in the front of the eye)
• Glaucoma
• Donor cornea rejection

The most important step you can take to ensure the best outcome is to follow Dr. Sunalp’s instructions completely, and to contact our office is any complications arise.

Dr. Sunalp and his dedicated team of professionals are committed to the success of your cornea transplant. To find out more about this procedure, please contact us to schedule a private consultation.

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