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A corneal transplant, also known as a corneal
graft, keratoplasy or penetrating keratoplasty, involves the
replacement of the central portion of a diseased or scarred
cornea with a clear, healthy donor.
Corneal transplant surgery is the most successful of all tissue
transplants. More than 40,000 corneal transplants are performed
in the United States each year.
Corneal transplants are done to improve vision, relieve pain,
and protect the inner structures of the eye. Corneal diseases
like keratoconus can cause clouding, sdcarring and distortion.
Replacing the damaged cornea with clear, healthy donor tissue
can restore impaired vision.
In some cases (for example, an accident that damages the cornea)
the surgery must be done immediately. However, the majority
of corneal transplants are recommended because of a disease
process. In these cases, there is time to gather information,
ask questions and decide if this is the best option and if
so, when to schedule the surgery.
The doctors at Eye Surgical Associates will help you evaluate
your need for a corneal transplant and discuss the potential
benefits of the surgery. The final decision is always yours.
You must weigh the potential risks against the possible benefits
in making this decision.
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