A Corneal transplant is a surgical procedure to replace part of your damaged corneal due to disease or injuries with a healthy corneal tissue (graft) donated from a local eye bank or a donor. Corneal transplant is also referred to as Keratoplasty or corneal graft. Corneal transplant surgery is one of the most common eye surgeries in Iran. We are proud to announce that the success rate of corneal transplant surgery in Iran is in a high score because of highly qualified and experienced ophthalmologists.

The Corneal is the clear and transparent layer at the front of eye which is vital to vision and protects and covers the iris, pupils and anterior chamber, and its function is controlling and focusing the entry of light into the eye.

A corneal transplant can treat a number of conditions including:

•   corneal scarring because of injury or infection
•   corneal ulcers
•   keratoconus (bulging out of the cornea)
•   swelling of the cornea
•   inherited eye diseases
•   problems caused by an earlier eye surgery

the Surgery

For reducing bleeding during surgery, you should stop having aspirin few weeks before the surgery. Your surgeon instructs you using antibiotic drops the day before the transplant. It prevents infection. As we explained above, a corneal transplant surgery is to replace part of your damaged corneal due to disease or injuries with a healthy corneal tissue (graft) donated from a local eye bank or a donor. The donation is from people who wish to donate their organs after their death.

This surgery is an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia and takes time about 30 minutes to 1 hour.

After the Surgery

You will receive an eye patch which is necessary to wear it for 1 to 4 days. After surgery, you feel sore and hurt which lasts for few days. So, eye drops and sometimes pain killers will be prescribed. Recovery period takes up to 1 year but you can resume your job after a few weeks. You must avoid of any heavy exercise during first 2 weeks after surgery. You need to adjust your glasses or contact lenses as well. The donated tissue is a permanent and lifetime.

Risks

Cornea transplant is a safe solution. Still, it does carry a small risk of serious complications, such as:

- Eye infection
- Pressure increase within the eyeball (glaucoma)
- Problems with the stitches used to secure the donor cornea
- Rejection of the donor cornea
- Bleeding
- Retinal problems, such as retinal detachment or swelling