THE DONOR CORNEA
ANTERIOR AND POSTERIOR GRAFTS
Francis W. Price Jr., MD is one of a few doctors in the world
to have performed more than 4000 corneal transplants. The doctors
of the Price Vision Group are actively involved in physician education
through their association with the Cornea Research Foundation of
America. They have been principle investigators on many research
projects dealing with the medical and surgical treatment of corneal
disease and disorders. They also participate in lectures at local
and national scientific meetings and are acknowledged to be among
the leaders in the field of corneal surgery. A number of studies
have shown a definite improvement in transplant survival when the
surgery is performed in a center that specializes in corneal transplants.
Dr. Price and his team of doctors in the clinic are part of one
of the busiest and most successful corneal transplant centers in
the world. Experience like theirs is unmatched in all but a handful
of other centers. This experience will help you have a successful
result from your surgery.
THE CORNEA
The cornea is the clear part in the front of your eye –
the window of the eye. It allows light to pass through and come
to focus on the retina. The cornea must remain clear to provide
good vision. Corneal disease, degeneration and scarring from injury
can all cause the cornea to become cloudy and result in decreased
vision. If visual decrease is significant, a corneal transplant
may be necessary.
THE DONOR CORNEA
A corneal transplant involves replacing a cloudy cornea
with a clear donor cornea.
Donor tissue comes from individuals who have donated their eyes
for the benefit of others. The donor is carefully screened for many
infections and diseases including hepatitis, syphilis and AIDS.
An eye bank network is used to obtain a donor cornea and ensure
the safe use of the tissue. All of our corneas come from eye banks
in the United States, which are regulated by the FDA.
ANTERIOR LAMELLAR CORNEAL TRANSPLANT is performed
when scarring involves the front half of the cornea. Your cornea
is dissected in half and the front of it is removed. The new donor
cornea is then sewn in place. This procedure is less invasive and
your eye will be stronger after surgery than it would be with a
regular full thickness transplant. However, there can be some loss
of clarity from the interface between the new and remaining layers
of the cornea.
POSTERIOR LAMELLAR CORNEAL TRANSPLANT also called
deep lamellar endothelial keratoplasty or DLEK, is performed when
the inner cell layer of the cornea has stopped working. Dr.
Price has helped pioneer this new surgery as he has sponsored and
taught courses to train other doctors from across the country on
this new technique. Your cornea is dissected into 2 layers through
a small incision on the side of your eye. The donor cornea is also
dissected. The back portion of the donor is placed in your eye through
the small incision. The natural suction of the cornea holds the
new layer in place. A few stitches are then placed to close the
small incision.
Your vision may improve faster with this type of transplant compared
with a full thickness corneal transplant and there are fewer stitches.
Most importantly, the eye is stronger after this type of transplant
and less prone to accidental injury. Also, there is usually less
astigmatism with this technique compared with a full thickness transplant.
In some cases, a special laser might be used prior to transplant
surgery to help provide better vision.
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