Approximately 40,000 corneal transplants are performed each year in the United States. This surgery involves removing the central portion of a damaged cornea and replacing it with donor tissue. The dome-shaped cornea that covers the front of the eye responds well to minor injuries and abrasions, but scarring and severe diseases can take a greater toll. One of the eye disorders which may result in a need for corneal transplant is keratoconus, involving progressive thinning and curvature of the cornea. Today, thanks to technological advances, the success rate of corneal transplantation is 95%. But without the generosity of donors, many people in need of corneal transplants would be denied the opportunity of seeing again. There is no substitute for human corneal tissue. If you wish to become a donor and save someone’s sight, contact an eye bank near you.
Unsightly Bulges
Keratoconus causes progressive thinning of the cornea, the transparent outer covering at the front of the eye. This leads to the development of a cone-like bulge, adversely altering vision. This condition occurs in about one in every 2,000 individuals, usually first diagnosed in patients in their late teens or early twenties. Initial symptoms usually include slight blurring and increased photosensitivity. Keratoconus may progress for a decade or two and then stabilize. Soft contact lenses may be used early on to correct mild nearsightedness and astigmatism, followed by rigid gas permeable (rgp) contacts if the cornea continues to thin and change shape. In severe cases, a corneal transplant may be required. A new treatment called corneal collagen cross linking may help strengthen the corneas of keratoconus patients. It involves a single application of riboflavin eye drops activated with low dose ultraviolet light for about a half hour.
