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Corneal transplant

• Overview
• Recovery
• Risks

Alternative Names:

Keratoplasty; Penetrating keratoplasty

Risks:

Sometimes, the body rejects the transplanted tissue. This occurs in a small number of patients.

Other risks for a corneal transplant include:

• Bleeding
• Infection of the eye
• Glaucoma
• Swelling of the front of the eye

The risks for any anesthesia are:

• Reactions to medications
• Breathing problems

The risks for any surgery are:

• Bleeding, but this is a rare complication since the cornea normally has no blood vessels
• Infection

References:

Yanoff M, Duker JS, Augsburger JJ, et al. Ophthalmology . 2nd ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2004:204-209.

Mian S. Regulation of eye banking and uses of ocular tissue for transplantation. Clin Lab Med. Sept 2005; 25(3): 607-24.

• Review Date: 2/22/2007
• Reviewed By: Manju Subramanian, MD, Assistant Professor in Ophthalmology, Vitreoretinal Disease and Surgery, Boston University Eye Associates, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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