Eye Transplant

The term 'eye transplant' can be quite misleading. It often gives the impression that the whole eye is being transplanted, like how it happens in heart transplant. However, this is not the case here. Surgeons cannot carry out whole eye transplant because transplanting the entire eye would mean severing the optic nerve and then reattaching it via microsurgery, but this is a very complex procedure and as of today it is not possible. Then, what do we mean when we refer to the term eye transplant? The term eye transplant surgery actually refers to the term 'corneal transplant' surgery, because only the cornea of the eye is being replaced.

Corneal Transplant (Eye Transplant)

As per the statistics reported by the Eye Bank Association of America, 'the corneal transplant recipients range in age from nine days to 103 years'. Over 40,000 corneal transplants are performed in the United States every year. Corneal transplant, also known as keratoplasty refers to the surgery in which the deceased or damaged cornea is replaced by another healthy cornea from the eye of a deceased person.

Why is Corneal Transplant Done...
The cornea is that transparent layer of tissue in the front region of the eye that comprises specialized type of collagen cells. Although corneal cells lack blood supply, they are furnished with large number of nerve endings, which is why any damage caused to them can be highly painful. When this clear tissue layer gets damaged, swells, thins, clouds or gets scarred from different severe infections or injuries, the cornea needs to be replaced by another healthy cornea to prevent vision loss.

Corneal Transplant Procedure...
During a corneal transplant, the patient is giving local anesthesia, which is in the form of an injection. The numbing medicine is injected into the eye to desensitize the patient from the searing pain. The surgeon will make a small, circular cut in the cornea of the eye, with the help of a small, sharp instrument called trephine, that bears semblance to a cookie cutter. The same shape and size of corneal tissue is also cut from the recently deceased donor's eye, which is then placed on the gap in the cornea and sown in place.

After Care...
This surgery takes about 30-90 minutes to complete. Brief hospitalization may be required. The patient is given an eye patch to wear for the first night after the surgery. Till the wound heals and the new corneal tissue sutured in grows in place, the patient is asked to wear an eye shield or glasses, which will help protect it from external injuries. Medications in the form of antibiotics and eye drops are prescribed to prevent onset of infections in the eye. The stitches or sutures are left in for a period ranging from 6 months to 2 years, depending on the progress of the eye.

Risks Involved...
All surgeries are associated with some amount of risk. Complications such as infections, cataract formation, rejection, glaucoma, retinal detachment, etc. can occur after an eye transplant. The amount of vision restored after the transplant will also vary, depending on the condition that caused the earlier cornea to decease. However, the encouraging part is that corneal transplants have the highest success rate as compared to other types of human organ transplants surgeries.

Several people sign to donate their eyes after their death. Eye banks store these corneas and supply needy people. Corneal transplant or eye transplant for blind people is a blessing, because it helps restore sight in people with certain eye conditions. Such donors are truly God's gift, who salvage the lives of people on the verge of leading a life in total darkness.