During a consultation for corneal graft surgery, your ophthalmologist will conduct a comprehensive eye examination to assess the condition of your cornea and determine the underlying cause of your vision problems. Your doctor will take a full medical history review, including any other eye conditions, surgeries, medications and allergies.
Your consultant will take time to discuss your symptoms with you, any visual concerns you have and your goals in improving your vision. As with any surgical procedure, they will also explain the benefits and risks of corneal graft surgery.
Your ophthalmologist will explain the different types of corneal graft procedures available (penetrating keratoplasty (PK), endothelial keratoplasty (EK), or deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK)). The choice of technique will depend on the specific characteristics of your cornea and the goals of the surgery.
Depending on your individual eyes and the procedure chosen, diagnostic tests may be performed to evaluate the specific characteristics of your cornea, such as endothelial cell count, pachymetry, and specular microscopy. These tests help determine the suitability of your cornea for transplantation and the type of graft that may be most beneficial.
Corneal graft surgery (or corneal transplantation) refers to procedures in which abnormal corneal tissue is removed from a patient’s eye and replaced by healthy donor cornea.
There are various reasons for carrying out this type of surgery and these include:
Corneal graft surgery can improve the following conditions:
Endothelial keratoplasty is like replacing a damaged layer of the eye's cornea with a healthy one from a donor. This surgery can be done in two ways (DSEK and DMEK). It aims to improve vision and treat conditions like Fuchs' dystrophy. It's a minimally invasive procedure with faster recovery and better results than traditional transplants. Think of it as getting a new, healthy layer for your eye to see better and function properly.
After the procedure is completed, you will be given a full explanation regarding post-operative drops and tablets and follow up care. Protective eye shields will have been placed over the treated eye to prevent you from rubbing your eye for the rest of the day and also whilst sleeping during the night.
After leaving the clinic, we encourage our patients rest for at least a few hours. It is very likely that you will have mild to moderate discomfort beginning a few hours after the surgical procedure and this usually disappears within 24 – 48 hours.
After DMEK (Descemet’s membrane endothelial keratoplasty) surgery, it’s generally recommended to avoid driving for at least 24 hours and to wait a few weeks until vision stabilises and feels comfortable. Your surgeon will provide specific guidance on when it’s safe to resume driving. On Initial recovery, you should avoid driving for at least 24 hours after surgery. It will take time for your vision to improve and stabilise after corneal transplant surgery, so it’s best to wait a few weeks before driving.
You are likely to have mild to moderate discomfort beginning a few hours after the surgical procedure. This usually settles within 24 – 48 hours.
To ensure that you are as comfortable as possible, you will be given painkilling tablets to be taken every 4 – 6 hours for 1-2 days.
Eye drops will be an essential part of your post-operative care regimen to help promote healing, prevent infection and reduce inflammation. The duration and frequency of eye drop use can vary depending on your individual needs. In general, patients can expect to use eye drops for several weeks to months following a corneal graft surgery. It is essential not to discontinue the use of eye drops abruptly without consulting your surgeon, as doing so could compromise the healing process and increase the risk of complications. It is crucial to follow your surgeon’s instructions regarding the proper administration, frequency, and duration of eye drop use after a corneal graft surgery.
We will discuss aftercare appointment needs with you after your procedure.
Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments with your surgeon to monitor your progress, assess healing, and address any concerns or complications that may arise.
