A corneal transplant removes all or part of the damaged cornea and replaces it with a healthy donor cornea.
The surgery is referred to as keratoplasty or a corneal graft.
The surgery can help to improve sight, relieve any pain and/or treat severe infection or damage.
Depending on the nature of the corneal surgery you may need to stay in hospital overnight.
If you have a partial thickness transplant an air bubble may be used to hold the donated cornea in place. For the first few days after surgery you may be asked to lay on your back as much as possible. The air bubble will help to hold the transplant in place. The air bubble will absorb naturally after a few days.
After the surgery your eye may be covered with an eye pad. This is usually removed the day after the procedure by an ophthalmic doctor. When the pad is removed you may find that your vision is blurred and there may be some swelling and discomfort. This is normal.
For the first few weeks after surgery you will usually be given an eye shield to wear at night to protect your eye. The shield can be cleaned using soapy water and left to air dry.
After your corneal transplant it may take time for your vision to return. This may be from a few weeks to a year. It will depend on the specific procedure.
You will be given steroid and antibiotic eye drops to use after the surgery. Your ophthalmologist will decide the frequency and length of time. The drops are used to prevent infection and rejection. Steroid drops are typically used as an ongoing treatment to prevent rejection, so it needs to be continued on repeat prescriptions until told otherwise by your ophthalmologist during follow up visits.
You will need to attend appointments in the outpatients department (eye clinic). These may be frequent to begin with.
Sometimes stitches are used to hold the transplant in place they will usually be removed after a year.
If you notice the below symptoms after your corneal transplant you need to seek advice:
• red eye
• sensitivity to light (photophobia)
• vision problems – particularly foggy or clouded vision
• eye pain
• direct trauma to the eye
• sudden leak of fluid from the eye.
Do not rub your eye/s.
Avoid heavy lifting, sports including swimming, contact and strenuous exercise.
Always wear protective goggles when allowed to resume activities and DIY.
Do not get tap water in your eye/s.
Please refrain from wearing eye makeup for 4 weeks.
Do not drive (if applicable) until your ophthalmologist / optician has deemed your eyesight within the driving standard.
Depending on your employment will depend how long you will need to remain off work. You can discuss this with your ophthalmologist.
Wearing your glasses even with minimal prescription can reduce the chances of trauma to your eye/s.
• Wash hands prior to putting drops into your eye.
• Avoid touching your eye with the dropper / nozzle.
• Tilt your head back and look up. Hold the drops, upturned just above the centre of the lower eye lid.
• Gently pull the lower lid down and squeeze the upturned bottle to release the drop into your eye.
• If more than one type of drop is prescribed please leave a gap of 5 minutes between each drop.
• The drops can cause a slight sting, and blurring of the vision for a short period of time. Do not stop using the drops unless advised by a doctor. If you experience excessive stinging, watering, swelling or redness of the eye whilst using the drops please contact the hospital immediately.
