Cornealtransplantation, also known as corneal grafting or
penetrating keratoplasty, is a surgical procedure where a damaged or diseased
cornea is replaced by donated corneal tissue which has been removed from a
recently deceased individual having no known diseases which might affect the
viability of the donated tissue. The cornea is the clear part of eye in front
of the iris and pupil. The surgical procedure is performed by ophthalmologists,
medical doctors who specialize in eyes, and are often done on an outpatient
basis.
India offers a host of medical facilities and
hospitals for satisfactory services which make your trip memorable and better.
The cost of treatment and access to the state-of-art medical services in India
is hardly and surprisingly one-tenth of the likely cost of the treatment, if
undergone in a standard US hospital. Moreover, with advanced medical learning
from topmost international medical institutions, the Indian doctors are in a
position to offer cutting edge medical attention at unbelievably low prices.
Most of all, the foreigners visiting India face a pleasant surprise in view of
fluent English spoken comfortable atmosphere right across the spectrum, added
by the famed Indian hospitality. Moreover, the Indian doctors and hospitals are
now complying with international quality standards, which make the things at
par.
Indications for cornealtransplantation : -
- Optical : - To improve visual acuity by replacing the opaque or distorted host tissue by clear healthy donor tissue. The most common indication in this category is pseudophakic bullous keratopathy, followed by keratoconus, corneal degeneration, keratoglobus and dystrophy, as well as scarring due to keratitis and trauma.
- Tectonic/reconstructive : - To preserve corneal anatomy and integrity in patients with stromal thinning and descemetoceles, or to reconstruct the anatomy of the eye, e.g. after corneal perforation.
- Therapeutic : - To remove inflamed corneal tissue unresponsive to treatment by antibiotics or anti-virals.
- Cosmetic : - To improve the appearance of patients with corneal scars that have given a whitish or opaque hue to the cornea
How is the procedure performed?
The transplant procedure involves
removing the diseased or damaged tissue, then replacing it with the donor
tissue. The entire operation is done under a surgical microscope. After taking
measurements of the amount of tissue to be removed, the diseased corneal is cut
and lifted away from the eye with a special round tool that works much like a
cookie cutter called a trephine. Once the damaged tissue is removed, the donor
cornea is cut to a matching size and placed on the patient's eye. It is held in
place with very fine stitches using suture material that is about as thin as a
hair.
If there is also a cataract present, this can be removed at the same time and replaced with an intraocular lens. At the conclusion of the corneal transplant procedure, a patch and a metal shield are place over the eye to protect it.
If there is also a cataract present, this can be removed at the same time and replaced with an intraocular lens. At the conclusion of the corneal transplant procedure, a patch and a metal shield are place over the eye to protect it.
What can I expect
after the procedure?
If the procedure is performed under local anesthesia, you can go home after a short stay in the recovery area. You will need someone to drive you home. The use of general anesthesia will delay your leaving by about two additional hours, to make sure the effects are wearing off.
After the procedure it is important to use the eye drops as prescribed, to not rub or press on the eye, to use over-the-counter pain medication, reduce exercise until healed, use the eye shields and patches as direct by your doctor, and not to drive until given approval.
If the procedure is performed under local anesthesia, you can go home after a short stay in the recovery area. You will need someone to drive you home. The use of general anesthesia will delay your leaving by about two additional hours, to make sure the effects are wearing off.
After the procedure it is important to use the eye drops as prescribed, to not rub or press on the eye, to use over-the-counter pain medication, reduce exercise until healed, use the eye shields and patches as direct by your doctor, and not to drive until given approval.
Cost:
The costs
of any surgery varies significantly between surgeons, medical facilities, and
regions of the country. The fee will also vary depending on whether local or
general anesthesia is used. Patients who are younger, sicker, or need more
extensive surgery will require more intensive and expensive treatment.
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