The cornea is the transparent front part of the eye. Its function is to provide clear vision by focusing light onto the retina, enabling vision. The cornea is completely transparent like glass and is free from blood vessels, as it gets nourishment through diffusion from the fluid behind it and the surrounding blood vessels.
Corneal transplantation is a precise surgical procedure in which a damaged or cloudy cornea is replaced with a healthy one from a donor. This treatment helps restore clear vision, especially for patients suffering from keratoconus, scarring, or corneal damage caused by infections and chronic diseases.
What is Corneal Sclerosis?
Corneal sclerosis (Corneal Sclerosis) is a condition that leads to a loss of transparency in the cornea, causing blurry or gradual vision loss. It can occur due to injuries, chronic infections, aging, or certain genetic disorders. In advanced cases, the ideal solution is a corneal transplant to restore vision and improve quality of life.
When Do You Need a Corneal Transplant?
1- Severe vision impairment that cannot be corrected with glasses or contact lenses. 2- Deformities in the surface of the cornea causing blurry vision. 3- Scarring or permanent damage to the cornea due to infections or injuries. 4- Advanced cases of keratoconus that do not respond to treatment with hard contact lenses.
Corneal Transplant Techniques Available at Ebn Hayan Center
✅ Traditional Corneal Transplant (Penetrating Keratoplasty – PKP): Full replacement of damaged corneal tissue. ✅ Layered Corneal Transplant (DMEK & DSAEK): Only the inner layers of the cornea are replaced, reducing the healing time. ✅ Artificial Cornea (Keratoprosthetics): For patients who are not eligible for traditional corneal transplant surgery.
Types of Corneal Transplant:
Full Corneal Transplant (Penetrating Keratoplasty): The entire corneal layers are removed and replaced with similar layers from a donor’s cornea.
Currently, most surgeries replace only the damaged portion of the cornea. We focus on the affected part of the cornea. For diseases affecting the front of the cornea, only the front layers are removed in a procedure called Anterior Layered Corneal Transplant.
Back Layers of Corneal Transplant: The problem may be in the back layers of the cornea, affecting the regulation of fluid and causing corneal edema. In such cases, only the back membrane or endothelial cells are replaced, in a procedure known as Posterior Layered Corneal Transplant.
Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty (DALK): The surface layers of the cornea (anterior epithelium with stroma) are removed and replaced with donor cells, preserving the posterior endothelial layer. This procedure is performed for patients with keratoconus and those with superficial corneal scars.
Endothelial Keratoplasty (EK): Targets the back region of the cornea, including the endothelial layer and Descemet’s membrane, which are replaced with matching parts from the donor’s cornea.
This method is highly effective for deep (internal) corneal injuries and has a fast recovery time within a few weeks.
Compensatory Corneal Transplant:
An artificial cornea is used in cases where multiple corneal transplants have failed and the patient is not suitable for a donor corneal transplant. Examples include Boston Keratoprosthesis and AlphaCor Cornea.
Most Common Diseases That Indicate the Need for Corneal Transplantation:
Diseases causing corneal opacity (scarring): This includes scarring after viral, fungal, or amoebic infections, as well as scars that may result from corneal injuries.
Advanced stages of Keratoconus: Where there is excessive protrusion of the corneal surface that cannot be corrected with traditional methods. In such cases, a full corneal transplant or anterior layered corneal transplant is required.
Eye problems resulting from other surgical procedures
Corneal transplants can also be performed for cosmetic purposes: Some corneal scars can appear white or cloudy.
Why Are We the Best in Corneal Transplantation in Dubai and Sharjah?
✔ The best eye doctors specializing in corneal surgery with extensive experience. ✔ Modern techniques such as laser and femtosecond laser to ensure precise surgery. ✔ Comprehensive post-operative care to ensure the success of the surgery. ✔ Guaranteed results with a high success rate and noticeable improvement in vision.
