A great solution if you struggle with poor vision due to corneal disease
If the eye disease affecting the cornea (the clear front surface of your eye) is too severe, we may need to replace the cornea with a donor cornea.
We call this a corneal transplant procedure (also called cornea grafting or keratoplasty).
Severe keratoconus is one possible reason for corneal transplant surgery. But we also use this procedure to treat corneal dystrophies and corneal scarring (possibly as a result of injury, swelling or infection of the cornea).
We typically perform corneal transplants to help restore the vision. But we can also use it to improve comfort and appearance.
What’s involved in the surgery?
In a corneal transplant operation, the surgeon replaces all or part of the damaged cornea with healthy donor corneal tissue.
Corneal transplant surgery is generally very safe and effective. The procedure has been performed and perfected by our surgeons over many years. The operation is usually done under general anaesthetic, so you won’t feel any pain or discomfort. You’ll also be able to go home soon after surgery, without the need to stay overnight in hospital.
Alternatives to cornea grafting for keratoconus
Before considering a corneal transplant for keratoconus, your surgeon may recommend another treatment instead. New treatments for keratoconus such as corneal collagen cross-linking and corneal implants are highly effective and involve less risk. You can discuss all of your treatment options for keratoconus when you make an appointment with one of our eye specialists.
Cornea grafting procedure:
- Before your surgery, it’s important not to eat or drink for at least 6 hours. The anaesthetist will give you a general anaesthetic, so you’ll be asleep throughout the procedure. In some cases, we may use a local anaesthetic or sedation instead.
- In most cases, your surgeon will use a highly specialised instrument called a ‘trephine’ to precisely remove your cornea. In some operations, we may only need to replace the front or back part of the cornea.
- We will then suture the donor cornea in place with extremely fine stitches.
- After the operation, we will place an eye pad and protective shield over your eye, and you’ll be able to go home as soon as your anaesthetic has worn off. You should ask someone to stay with you overnight, and you’ll need to come back for a check-up the following day.
Full recovery from cornea grafting can take some time. It usually takes 12 to 18 months to achieve your best possible vision, and you’ll need regular check-ups during that time. Suppose you suffer from severe keratoconus or another corneal condition that affects your sight. In that case, cornea grafting is often a very worthwhile and effective operation.
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Our industry-leading experts are here to guide you every step of the way
Dr Mantell is a specialist in refractive and cataract surgery. He has restored the vision of thousands of people in his 17-year career.
Dr Ring is an expert in cornea, cataract and refractive surgery.
Dr Subbiah is a cataract, corneal and laser surgery specialist.
Dr Watson specialises in treating many aspects of the eye, including the face, eyelids, tear drainage system and the cornea.
Professor Danesh-Meyer is an international authority on glaucoma and neuro-ophthalmology and one of the most highly regarded experts in her field.
Professor Charles McGhee, a Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon for 25 years, specialises in corneal diseases and cataract surgery.
Dr Cunningham is a consultant ophthalmologist who specialises in cataract surgery and vitreoretinal surgery.
Dr Dean is a consultant ophthalmologist. His areas of expertise include cataract surgery, corneal surgery and pterygium surgery.
Dr Hadden specialises in vitreoretinal and cataract surgery, including the treatment of intraocular tumours.
Dr Narme Deva is a key opinion leader for Medical retina and Uveitis in New Zealand.
Dr Elizabeth Insull is a New Zealand and UK trained Oculoplastic and Ophthalmic surgeon.
Dr Matheos is an ophthalmologist with subspecialist training in glaucoma and anterior segment surgery, cataract surgery and pterygium surgery.
Dr Beaumont is a general ophthalmologist. He specialises in surgical ophthalmology, medical ophthalmology and urgent eye trauma care.
Dr Meyer is a specialist eye surgeon specialising in cataracts, glaucoma, and corneal diseases and surgeries.
Dr Reeves has advanced training in the diagnosis and management of glaucoma. He offers a variety of laser and surgical treatments, including minimally invasive glaucoma surgery.
Dr Perumal is a New Zealand trained ophthalmologist with advanced training in glaucoma and cataract surgery.
Dr Narme Deva is a key opinion leader for Medical retina and Uveitis in New Zealand.
LEARN MORE
Dr Ring is an expert in cornea, cataract and refractive surgery.
LEARN MORE
Dr Subbiah is a cataract, corneal and laser surgery specialist.
LEARN MORE
Dr Watson specialises in treating many aspects of the eye, including the face, eyelids, tear drainage system and the cornea.
LEARN MORE
Professor Danesh-Meyer is an international authority on glaucoma and neuro-ophthalmology and one of the most highly regarded experts in her field.
LEARN MORE
Professor Charles McGhee, a Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon for 25 years, specialises in corneal diseases and cataract surgery.
LEARN MORE
Dr Cunningham is a consultant ophthalmologist who specialises in cataract surgery and vitreoretinal surgery.
LEARN MORE
Dr Dean is a consultant ophthalmologist. His areas of expertise include cataract surgery, corneal surgery and pterygium surgery.
LEARN MORE
Dr Hadden specialises in vitreoretinal and cataract surgery, including the treatment of intraocular tumours.
LEARN MORE
Dr Elizabeth Insull is a New Zealand and UK trained Oculoplastic and Ophthalmic surgeon.
LEARN MORE
Dr Matheos is an ophthalmologist with subspecialist training in glaucoma and anterior segment surgery, cataract surgery and pterygium surgery.
LEARN MORE
Dr Beaumont is a general ophthalmologist. He specialises in surgical ophthalmology, medical ophthalmology and urgent eye trauma care
LEARN MORE
Dr. Meyer is a specialist eye surgeon specialising in cataracts, glaucoma, and corneal diseases and surgeries.
LEARN MORE
Dr Reeves has advanced training in the diagnosis and management of glaucoma. He offers a variety of laser and surgical treatments, including minimally invasive glaucoma surgery.
LEARN MORE
Dr Perumal is a New Zealand trained ophthalmologist with advanced training in glaucoma and cataract surgery.
LEARN MORE
Dr Mantell is a specialist in refractive and cataract surgery. He has restored the vision of thousands of people in his 17-year career.
LEARN MORE
Learn more about treating these corneal conditions from authoritative sources.
Corneal blindness is one of the major causes of reversible blindness, which can be managed with transplantation of a healthy donor cornea. It is the most successful organ transplantation in the human body as cornea is devoid of vasculature, minimizing the risk of graft rejection.
A cornea transplant is often referred to as keratoplasty or a corneal graft.
It can be used to improve sight, relieve pain and treat severe infection or damage.
One of the most common reasons for a cornea transplant is a condition called keratoconus, which causes the cornea to change shape.
Rejection of the corneal graft is the most common complication and occurs in about 1 in 7 patients at any time after the operation. It happens when your body detects a piece of tissue from another person and your immune system then tries to destroy it. Often it can be treated but sometimes a further corneal graft operation is required.
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