Corneal transplantation is a surgical procedure that aims to replace the altered cornea with a healthy cornea, promoting the improvement of the visual capacity of the person, since the cornea is the transparent tissue that coats the eye and is associated with the formation of the image.
In the postoperative corneal transplant, the person is discharged with a bandage in the eye that should only be removed by the doctor during the next day’s postoperative visit. During this time, avoid healthy effort and eating, drinking plenty of water to keep the body and the new cornea well hydrated. As corneal transplant types have evolved, visual recovery has become faster and faster.
- During the appointment.
- Your doctor will remove the bandage and the person will be able to see.
- Although the vision is still a little blurred at first.
- Gradually clears up.
Corneal transplantation is indicated when there are changes in this structure that interfere with the visual ability of the person, that is, when changes in the curvature, transparency or regularity of the cornea are checked.
Thus, the graft may be indicated in cases of infections that affect the cornea, such as in the case of eye herpes, the presence of ulcers, dystrophy, keratitis or keratoconus, in which the cornea thins and curves, directly interfering with visual capacity. and may be more sensitive to light and blurred vision. Learn more about keratoconus and its main symptoms.
After a cornea transplant, there is usually no pain, but some people may be more sensitive to light and have a sense of sand in their eyes, but these sensations usually go away over time.
It is important to take certain precautions after corneal transplantation to avoid rejection and possible complications, recommending:
During the recovery period of cornea transplantation, it is important that the person is aware of the appearance of signs and symptoms of corneal rejection, such as red eyes, eye pain, decreased vision or excessive sensitivity to light, it is important to consult the evaluation of the ophthalmologist and the best attitude can be adopted.
After transplantation, it is also important to have regular appointments with the ophthalmologist so that recovery is monitored and treatment success is ensured.
Rejection of the transplanted cornea can occur to anyone who has had this transplant and although this is more common in the first few months after surgery, rejection can occur even 30 years after this procedure.
Signs of transplant rejection usually appear 14 days after transplantation, redness of the eyes, blurred or blurred vision, eye pain and photophobia, where the person has difficulty keeping his eyes open in very bright places or in the Sun.
Corneal transplant rejection is rare, but it’s easier to have in people who have already had another transplant where there has been rejection by the body, and can also occur in younger people with signs of eye inflammation, glaucoma or herpes, for example.
To reduce the risk of rejection, the ophthalmologist generally recommends the use of corticosteroids in the form of ointment or eye drops, such as 1% prednisolone acetate, to be applied directly to the transplanted eye and immunosuppressive drugs.