Cornea Transplant

Full-Thickness Cornea Transplant (Penetrating Keratoplasty)

Cornea transplant procedure

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Penetrating keratoplasty surgery involves removing the full-thickness cornea (all tissue layers) and replacing it with a donor cornea. The procedure is also referred to as traditional cornea transplant surgery, and can be used to treat many cornea diseases. The cornea is cut with a sharp instrument (trephine) during this procedure. Eye surgeons at Mayo Clinic also offer the latest technology available to cut the cornea, a computer-controlled bladeless laser. The edges of the donor and host cornea tissue are cut precisely to achieve the closest match possible. The more seamlessly the edges interface, the better vision is after surgery.

Candidates

Penetrating keratoplasty can improve and restore good vision for patients with cloudy, swollen, scarred or misshaped corneas caused by injury or disease. The surgery is commonly performed to treat keratoconus.

Procedure

During surgery, a precise circular cut is made in the cornea with a trephine or a laser to remove the cornea. The donor cornea, which is cut to match the opening, is held in place with stitches. The surgery usually lasts 60 to 90 minutes. Stitches are gradually removed over several follow-up office visits.

Patients might experience eye irritation, tearing and discomfort for a few days up to a few weeks after surgery. Patients should expect improved vision in three to 12 months and best vision at around 12 months or when all stitches have been removed. Patients generally require glasses to achieve good vision after surgery, and best vision can often be achieved with contact lenses.

Advantages

Penetrating keratoplasty can treat diseases affecting any layer of the cornea because the entire cornea is replaced. With advanced laser technology, Mayo eye surgeons can precisely match the edges of the donor cornea tissue with the recipient's eye tissue to achieve good vision after surgery.