Corneal transplant
Corneal Transplant
A corneal transplant, also known as a corneal graft or keratoplasty (pronounced: ker-uh-toe-plas-tee), is a surgical procedure where a damaged or diseased cornea is replaced by donated corneal tissue. The cornea is the transparent front part of the eye that covers the iris, pupil, and anterior chamber.
Etymology
The term "corneal transplant" is derived from the Latin word "cornu" meaning "horn" due to the tough, clear quality of the cornea, and the Latin word "transplantare" meaning "to plant across".
Procedure
The procedure is typically performed by an ophthalmologist, a medical doctor who specializes in eye and vision care. The surgery can be done under local or general anesthesia. The unhealthy, diseased, or injured cornea is removed and replaced with a clear, healthy cornea from a donor.
Types of Corneal Transplants
There are two main types of corneal transplants: full thickness corneal transplant (also known as penetrating keratoplasty) and partial thickness corneal transplant (also known as lamellar keratoplasty).
- Penetrating Keratoplasty (PK): This is the traditional method where the entire cornea is replaced.
- Lamellar Keratoplasty (LK): In this newer procedure, only the inner layer of the cornea is replaced.
Related Terms
- Graft Rejection: This is a serious complication where the body's immune system attacks the new cornea tissue.
- Astigmatism: This is a common condition that can occur after a corneal transplant, causing blurred or distorted vision.
- Keratoconus: This is a condition that often leads to corneal transplants. It causes the cornea to become thin and bulge outwards.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Corneal transplant
- Wikipedia's article - Corneal transplant
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