Susan Wong, MD, discusses Corneal Transplantation (Penetrating Keratoplasty)

The cornea is the transparent layer of the front surface of the eye. The transparent corneal surface allows the light to enter the eye, enabling us to see. Corneal problems such as disease, infection, or injury can lead to a damaged cornea which will interfere with the transmission of light through a cloudy or distorted cornea, leading to poor vision.

Corneal Transplantation is the surgical removal of the diseased cornea and the implantation of a healthy donor corneal tissue. The donor corneal tissue is obtained from eye banks that procure the tissue from donors and evaluate and screen for healthy corneas.

The corneal transplantation is performed at our affiliated hospital, the Massachusetts Eye and Ear infirmary in Boston. It is performed under local anesthesia by our corneal specialist as day surgery. The transplantation is microsurgery, which requires the use of the operating microscope. The procedure will consist of the surgical removal of the diseased cornea, and the implantation of the healthy donor cornea to the recipient. The new cornea is secured to the eye using microscopic sutures that are not visible.

The postoperative care will consist of the application of eye medications to the operated eye, and periodic visits to the corneal specialist for follow up care. As the new cornea heals, the vision will improve over a period of a year or more. When the corneal healing is complete, the vision can be corrected with glasses.

Susan Wong, M.D. is a Cornea Specialist and practices in the Cornea Service (in Visual Services) of Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates.

To schedule a consultation, please call our office at 617-629-6280.

Find out more about our Cornea Service