Getting Corneal Transplant At Angel Eyes

PREPARING FOR A TRANSPLANT

If you are advised to undergo a corneal transplant, your ophthalmologist will tell you what is required. The transplant will be scheduled according to the condition of the eye and the availability of a donor cornea. The waiting time is usually 1-7 days. You will have to undergo an ophthalmic examination and some routine preoperative tests. Also, routine blood investigations and a physician fitness will be carried out. If both your eyes need new corneas, the second transplant will not be performed until the first eye has stabilized, which may take up to a year.

After surgery, you may be permitted to return home the same day, or you may be required to stay in the hospital for a day or more.

SOME FACTS YOU MAY LIKE TO KNOW

It is not necessary to find a cornea with a matching tissue or blood type.

The race, gender, and eye colour of the donor are not important.

A corneal transplant won’t change your natural eye colour.

PREPARING FOR SURGERY

If you are taking any other medication, ask your ophthalmologist whether you should continue it. You may be asked not to eat or drink anything for several hours before the surgery.

Usually a local anaesthesia is used for surgery, so you will be awake but feel no pain. Intravenous medications will help you relax. The nerves in your eye will be completely numbed so you will not be able to see or move your eye. Sometimes the doctor may use general anaesthesia.

THE TRANSPLANT PROCEDURE

For the transplant, the doctors use an operating microscope and very delicate instruments. Once the old cornea is removed, the new cornea is stitched into place. The sutures or stitches are barely visible and are not painful, although you might feel some irritation or a scratching sensation for a few days.

If necessary, other procedures may be performed at the same time as your transplant. For example, a cataract may be removed and replaced with an intraocular lens (IOL). An IOL may be replaced or removed. The vitreous gel maybe removed from the eye and replaced with fluid. A damaged iris maybe repaired. Your ophthalmologist will advise you about them.

For an endothelial transplant, an air bubble is injected into your eye. In some cases, a rebubbling procedure may have to be done.

REJECTION OF A TRANSPLANT-THE DANGER SIGNALS!

Rejection of a transplanted cornea may occur anytime, but is more likely to happen in the first year after surgery. Unfortunately, rejection reduces the chances of success of any repeat corneal transplantation. However, this can be prevented by timely diagnosis and appropriate management.

Watch out for these danger signals:

Redness

Sensitivity to light

Vision loss

Pain

The acronym ‘RSVP’ can help you remember these symptoms. If you notice any of these symptoms in your operated eye, however minor they may seem and regardless of the time of day, contact us immediately. If this is not possible, visit the nearest ophthalmologist, preferably a cornea specialist.

IMPORTANT TIPS ON CARE AFTER SURGERY

1. Do not lift heavy things
2. Do not bend so that your head is lower than your waist
3. Avoid sleeping on the operated side
4. Do not rub the operated eye
5. Avoid any vigorous activity
6. Avoid alcoholic beverages
7. Watch television for short periods only.

You can bathe carefully from below our neck, and also shave, but do not let the operated eye become wet for at least 15 days. You may gently clean the eyelids with a piece of cotton boiled in water or a sterilized tissue. Do not wet the eyeball. You should wear an eye patch at night; the doctor will advise you when to discontinue using it during the day. Always wear protective glasses or an ‘eye shield’ to avoid accidental injury.

MEDICATION AND FOLLOW UP

At the time of discharge our patient counsellor will advise you about medication and follow-up visits. Please follow the instructions regarding medication. Please adhere to the follow-up appointment date.

If you have any concerns or questions, you can ask the doctor when you come for an examination. If you feel you cannot wait, call or email us, or send a fax, at our numbers given below.