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Does A Cornea Transplant Carry A Risk Of Serious Complications?
Question: My aunt (in India) had undergone cataract surgery on her right eye 6 months back, but her vision didnt improve even after 4 months. Last month the doc advised her a minor surgery that can improve her vision. But that didnt yield positive results too. After monthly review, the doctor is advising cornea transplant. He did say that there is some chance of rejections as well. So not sure how to proceed with this.Need some details of cornea transplant and the associated risks. And how to ensure the best care for cornea transplant?
Thank you.
Thank you.
Brief Answer:
Partial thickness grafts are better and give good results.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to Health care Magic
I am Dr. Dadapeer K, an ophthalmologist and I will be answering your question.
I reviewed your history.
Corneal transplantation is transplanting cornea donated from dead people to health people.
Since cornea is obtained by a donor there is a risk for rejection. However among all the organ transplantation corneal transplant has got least recurrence rate. The recurrence rate is less than 10%.
This risk can be further minimized by going for partial thickness graft like lamellar graft.
Since the corneal graft is being done for corneal edema following cataract surgery, she probably needs posterior lamellar graft also called as endothelial keratoplasty. Among all the corneal graft operations this one has got least recurrence rate.
The other option available is to use good corneal graft tissue with good cell count.
Hence I advice you to consult corneal graft surgeon for evaluation to find out the appropriate graft and surgery accordingly.
If possible do send me the details of any investigations, so that I can advice you accordingly.
Hope this information is helpful to you.
Do write back to me for further questions.
Thank you
With regards
Partial thickness grafts are better and give good results.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to Health care Magic
I am Dr. Dadapeer K, an ophthalmologist and I will be answering your question.
I reviewed your history.
Corneal transplantation is transplanting cornea donated from dead people to health people.
Since cornea is obtained by a donor there is a risk for rejection. However among all the organ transplantation corneal transplant has got least recurrence rate. The recurrence rate is less than 10%.
This risk can be further minimized by going for partial thickness graft like lamellar graft.
Since the corneal graft is being done for corneal edema following cataract surgery, she probably needs posterior lamellar graft also called as endothelial keratoplasty. Among all the corneal graft operations this one has got least recurrence rate.
The other option available is to use good corneal graft tissue with good cell count.
Hence I advice you to consult corneal graft surgeon for evaluation to find out the appropriate graft and surgery accordingly.
If possible do send me the details of any investigations, so that I can advice you accordingly.
Hope this information is helpful to you.
Do write back to me for further questions.
Thank you
With regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you Doctor, for such a detailed explanation.
I have also uploaded a few medical reports, for your perusal please.
Doctor, I would also like to understand, the following :
1.What is the usual time that takes for cornea transplant i.e is there any waiting period or pre-surgery tests that take some time before the transplant?
2. Is it like an outpatient procedure similar to cataract?
3. How much does it cost for the treatment you are suggesting with partial thickness grafts, approximately?
Thank you.
I have also uploaded a few medical reports, for your perusal please.
Doctor, I would also like to understand, the following :
1.What is the usual time that takes for cornea transplant i.e is there any waiting period or pre-surgery tests that take some time before the transplant?
2. Is it like an outpatient procedure similar to cataract?
3. How much does it cost for the treatment you are suggesting with partial thickness grafts, approximately?
Thank you.
Brief Answer:
It costs around Rs. 25,000- 30,000.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thank you for the follow up question.
I reviewed the reports attached with the question.
These show corneal edema/ bullous keratopathy and this requires treatment by corneal transplant.
1. There is no waiting period before corneal transplant, the pre surgery tests include tests for general fitness and similar to those as for a cataract surgery.
2. It is similar to cataract procedure but it takes more time for the operation. On an average it takes 45 minutes to 1 hour for the surgery.
3. The cost of the treatment procedure varies from hospital to hospital. Roughly the cost is around Rs.25,000 to Rs. 30,000 with a variation of around Rs. 5,000.
From the reports it appears that partial thickness graft will not be helpful as all the layers of the cornea are probably involved, hence she may require full thickness grafting only.
Hope this answers your question and the information is helpful to you.
Do write back to me for further questions.
Thank you
It costs around Rs. 25,000- 30,000.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thank you for the follow up question.
I reviewed the reports attached with the question.
These show corneal edema/ bullous keratopathy and this requires treatment by corneal transplant.
1. There is no waiting period before corneal transplant, the pre surgery tests include tests for general fitness and similar to those as for a cataract surgery.
2. It is similar to cataract procedure but it takes more time for the operation. On an average it takes 45 minutes to 1 hour for the surgery.
3. The cost of the treatment procedure varies from hospital to hospital. Roughly the cost is around Rs.25,000 to Rs. 30,000 with a variation of around Rs. 5,000.
From the reports it appears that partial thickness graft will not be helpful as all the layers of the cornea are probably involved, hence she may require full thickness grafting only.
Hope this answers your question and the information is helpful to you.
Do write back to me for further questions.
Thank you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you very much, Doctor. So kind of you to take time out to answer queries.
Will discuss with family and shall get in touch with you, again should there be any questions.
Thanks again doctor.
Kind Regards.
Will discuss with family and shall get in touch with you, again should there be any questions.
Thanks again doctor.
Kind Regards.
Brief Answer:
Thank you for writing to Health care Magic
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for writing to Health care Magic.
Do get back to me with further questions.
Thank you
Thank you for writing to Health care Magic
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for writing to Health care Magic.
Do get back to me with further questions.
Thank you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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