The human eye is a biological marvel, and the cornea – the clear, dome-shaped front layer of the eye, plays a pivotal role in the functioning of the eye. The cornea acts like a window and by refracting li0ght, it enables the eye to focus, and makes clear vision possible.
But what if the cornea gets injured or damaged? If such a thing happens, be it from injury, infection, or disease, your eyesight can get seriously affected. You may experience blurred vision, glare sensitivity, pain, and in extreme cases, even blindness. The question is – can the cornea repair itself, or will it necessitate medical intervention? In this blog, we shall discuss when the need for a corneal transplant arises.
Can A Damaged Cornea Heal Naturally?
Under some specific conditions, the cornea can heal on its own. However, how much healing takes place depends on the type of damage, its magnitude, and which layer of the cornea is affected.
Minor abrasions or scratches:
These injuries are restricted to the surface and generally heal on their own in a few days. For instance, scratches from contact lenses, fingernails, or debris, often heal within 24 – 48 hours without any external intervention. There is no long-term damage if proper care is ensured.
Deeper injuries & other conditions:
Keratoconus, Fuchs’ dystrophy, severe infections, and trauma can lead to permanent scarring and vision loss. In such cases, natural healing is not enough. They demand medical intervention. Corneal transplantation may be the only effective treatment to restore sight.
What Is A Corneal Transplant?
A corneal transplant or keratoplasty is a surgical procedure used to replace the damaged part of the cornea with healthy donor tissue. It can help restore vision, reduce pain, and improve the appearance of a scarred cornea.
There are four main types of corneal transplants. Which procedure is to be used depends on the extent and location of corneal damage:
1. Penetrating Keratoplasty (PK)
PK is a full-thickness transplant in which eye surgeons replace the entire damaged cornea (all its layers) with a healthy donor cornea. It is done when all the corneal layers are affected due to severe corneal scarring, trauma, or some inherited conditions.
2. Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty (DALK)
DALK is a partial-thickness corneal transplant, which is used to replace the middle and outer layers of the cornea. It saves the innermost corneal layer and is done for keratoconus, corneal scarring, and specific types of corneal dystrophies.
3. Descemet Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSAEK)
DSAEK or DSEK is a partial-thickness transplant in which only the diseased endothelium of the cornea is replaced with a healthy donor endothelium and a thin layer of donor stroma.
4. Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK)
DMEK is an advanced version of DSEK. It is a partial-thickness corneal transplant and is used to replace only the Descemet’s membrane and endothelium.
When Does a Cornea Transplantation Become Necessary?
If some severe infection or injury damages the cornea to the extent that it becomes cloudy, scarred, undergoes change in shape, ruins vision significantly, or does not respond to non-surgical treatments, the ideal cornea damage treatment would probably be a corneal transplant.
Common reasons why a person may need corneal transplant are:
- Keratoconus (thinning and bulging of the cornea)
- Corneal scarring from infections or injuries
- Corneal dystrophies, such as Fuchs’ dystrophy
- Failure of a previous corneal transplant
- Severe corneal ulcers or burns
What to Expect From A Corneal Transplant Surgery?
Local anaesthesia is used for performing corneal transplants. The surgery lasts for about 30 – 60 minutes and generally no hospitalization is needed. Most patients go home the same day.
Recovery can take somewhere between a few weeks to several months. You are supposed to put eye drops on time, and be particular not to miss even once. You must also go for regular eye checkups. Your vision improves slowly as the eye heals and most patients achieve significant sight restoration after the surgery.
Risks and Success Rate
Corneal transplants typically have a high success rate of around 85–90%. However, in some cases there may risks such as:
- Infection
- Rejection of the donor tissue
- Increased intraocular pressure
- Graft failure (the transplanted tissue fails to function properly)
Expert ophthalmologists at Sohana Hospital closely monitor the recovery of all patients to detect and treat any complications early.
Can Modern Technology Improve Transplant Outcomes?
Yes, there have been tremendous advancements in microsurgery, imaging, and precision instruments that have made corneal transplants safer and more effective. Femtosecond laser-assisted keratoplasty and improvements in eye banking facilities also contribute to accomplishing better results.
Conclusion
A damaged cornea can severely affect your vision, and hence, quality of life. However, modern technology can help you get relief from your eye condition, and see clearly once again.
If you are experiencing blurry vision, sensitivity to light, or any other corneal problems, make sure you consult a trusted eye specialist. Remember, early medical intervention is key!
Not sure what’s the best cornea damage treatment? Or looking for the best eye hospital in Mohali? Consider visiting Sohana Hospital – one of the leading eye hospitals in North India. With advanced diagnostic tools and highly skilled eye surgeons, the hospital ensures that each patient receives the best guidance and treatment, the highest safety standards, and the most affordable prices.
