By becoming a registered donor anywhere in the world, you stand to save or improve the lives of many people. For this reason, both givers and receivers need to become more knowledgeable about the different kinds of transplants there are and how to best benefit from them.

Introducing Corneal Transplants

Across the world, millions of people suffer from eyesight problems, many of which are caused by dysfunctions of the cornea, the clear dome-shaped surface that doubles as the eye’s outermost layer. Corneal dystrophy, a condition through which one or more parts of the cornea begin to lose their normal clarity, can cause symptoms ranging from visual impairment to substantial pain, and may even lead to blindness if left untreated.

Luckily, corneal transplants are a good way to address and solve many of the issues listed above. What’s more, corneal grafts are some of the most successful of all tissue transplants, with success rates that often top 90 percent. Since 1961, more than 1 million people have had their eyesight restored through this procedure in the US alone.

For corneal transplant beneficiaries, it may be helpful to understand just what the procedure entails. As far as surgical interventions are concerned, corneal transplants are quick and easy, allowing some patients to go home the very same day. Local or general anesthesia is used during the procedure, with doctors choosing from a variety of options that range from partial thickness transplantation to the full replacement of several layers of the cornea. Afterwards, patients will need to rigorously apply eye drops and refrain from touching their eyes or letting water come into contact with the afflicted area for a certain amount of time.

The Benefits of Corneal Transplantation

As anyone who’s successfully undergone a corneal transplant knows, the difference such an intervention can make in a person’s life can be quite dramatic. The list of benefits associated with this type of transplant include:

1. Substantially Improved Eyesight

People have gone from being almost fully visually impaired to having perfect to near-perfect eyesight right after the operation. Not all cases are as successful, of course, but younger patients, in particular, will get to view life with new eyes post-surgery.

2. Fast Recovery

Compared to other transplants, which often require many months of recovery and may very well include substantial costs in the process, corneal transplants are quick and easy on the pocket. Recipients of corneal transplants generally recover quickly and can experience improved vision immediately.

3. Reduced Risk of Rejection

The risk of rejection is what makes organ transplantation so difficult. With the newest technology, corneal transplants are successful in up to 98 percent of all cases.

When all is said and done, we hope we’ve managed to shed some light on corneal transplantations and the incredible impact such interventions have on people who would otherwise be in danger of going blind. For more info on donation options and how you too can get involved, be sure to visit our website today and start helping out the people who need it most.

 

**Statistics and data sourced from https://www.aao.org/eye-health/treatments/what-to-expect-when-you-have-corneal-transplant