Corneal Transplant

A corneal transplant, also known as a corneal graft, or penetrating keraplasty (PKP)  has been the standard treatment to restore functional vision to patient s having diseased or injured corneas that cannot be resolved through other treatment. During transplant surgery, the damaged cornea is removed and replaced with a clear donor cornea. Your ophthalmologist will follow you closely during the healing process. Dr. Matthew Robinson is our board certified fellowship trained corneal specialist.

DSAEK eye surgery

Prior to the development of DSAEK( Descement’s Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty)  eye surgery, penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) was the only method of replacing the diseased endothelial layer of the cornea. DSAEK is the new standard in corneal transplant surgery. With DSAEK, smaller incisions are made, fewer sutures are used,  recovery time is reduced, allowing quicker restoration of visual acuity. Dr. Matthew Robinson is one of the few fellowship trained corneal specialists in the region qualified to perform DSAEK. He routinely performs DSAEK in the state of the art outpatient surgery center located on-site at the Eye Center’s Fort Collins facility.

Who is a candidate?

Patients who have corneal pathology in the endothelial layer of the cornea are the best candidates for  DSAEK ( for example Fuch’s dystrophy). The cells that allow nourishing fluid from the inside of the eye to flow into the cornea are endothelial cells and when these cells become diseased or damaged the cornea may become cloudy.  This cloudiness can impair vision to the extent that requires surgical intervention.

How does DSAEK work?

The procedure starts with the patient lying under a specially designed microscope, with a topical (eye drop) anesthetic applied to the eye. This ensures no pain during the procedure.

There are two parts to the procedure. First, the unhealthy endothelial cells are removed, as well as the Descemet’s membrane through a small incision in the side of the cornea. Next, the healthy donor tissue from the eye bank is inserted in its place. The entire procedure takes less than an hour. The patient is sent home and returns the next day for a follow up appointment.

Keratoconus

Keratoconus is a decease that causes a progressive thinning of the cornea (the front clear portion of the eye). As a result, the normal outward pressure of the eye causes the cornea to bulge into a cone-like shape. Although Keratoconus rarely results in absolute blindness, it can significantly impair vision and approximately 20% of patients may require a corneal transplant.

While the cause of Keratoconus is somewhat unknown, there is evidence to support that it has genetic origins that as possibly worsened by environmental factors.  Keratoconus typically affects both eyes, but progresses at varying rates. Characteristically it begins in the teen years, gradually worsening and eventually stabilizing in the 30s and 40s.
Keratoconus is estimated to affect 1 in 2000 people of all races. Treatment typically consists of fitting the patient with rigid contact lenses to address the bulging cornea with the objective of improving vision.  A proper contact lens fit by Dr.s Chaney and Marske, trained professionals in the treatment of Keratoconus, is essential in obtaining the best possible vision as well as wearing comfort.

New Options for Keratoconus

The Eye Center of Northern Colorado now offers Intacs® corneal implants; a unique new option to improve vision and potentially postpone a corneal transplant for many patients. Intacs® are indicated for the correction of nearsightedness and astigmatism for Keratoconus patients who are unable to achieve proper vision with contacts or glasses.

Dr. Matthew Robinson, a fellowship-trained corneal specialist at the Eye Center of Northern Colorado, performs the Intacs® procedure as a less invasive alternative to a corneal transplant.  Intacs® can improve functional vision allowing the need for a corneal transplant to be delayed. Intacs® patients who might later require a corneal transplant are able to do so without complications.

The objective of the Intacs® procedure is to provide the Keratoconus patient with ability to attain improved functional vision with glasses or contacts. Other benefits of Intacs® include:  

• Safe, removable, replaceable
• Lessening of myopia and astigmatism associated with Keratoconus
• Restores the cornea to a more natural shape
• Minimally invasive surgical procedure
• Short recovery period
• Improved quality of life
• May delay the need for corneal transplant
  

For more information about Intacs ® click here