Corneal Transplantation And Donation

Overview

The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped window at the front of your eye. A corneal transplant is surgery that replaces a damaged or diseased cornea with healthy tissue from a donor. Corneal donation is the gift of that tissue, usually from someone who has died, to help restore or improve someone’s sight.

Corneal transplant is one of the most common types of tissue transplant worldwide. Exact numbers vary by country.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• Cloudy, hazy, or blurred vision
• Sensitivity to light
• Eye pain or a feeling that something is in the eye
• Redness, tearing, or discharge
• Glare or halos around lights
• A white or gray spot on the front of the eye
• Vision loss that gets worse over time

Symptoms in children

• A cloudy spot on the eye
• Frequent rubbing of the eyes
• Light sensitivity or squinting
• Poor vision or trouble following objects
• Crossed or wandering eye, sometimes

Symptoms in older adults

• Gradual blurring or clouding of vision
• Glare when driving at night
• Eye discomfort or redness
• Trouble reading or recognizing faces

Causes

Main causes

• Scarring from eye infections
• Eye injuries, including chemical burns
• Keratoconus, where the cornea becomes thin and cone-shaped
• Fuchs endothelial dystrophy, a condition that makes the cornea swell
• Inherited corneal dystrophies
• Complications after eye surgery, such as cataract surgery
• Severe dry eye or other long-term eye surface problems

Risk factors

• Wearing contact lenses without good hygiene, which raises the risk of eye infection
• A previous eye injury or eye surgery
• Family history of corneal dystrophy or keratoconus
• Certain infections that affect the eye
• Autoimmune or inflammatory conditions
• Rubbing your eyes often

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• Sudden severe eye pain, redness, or loss of vision
• A serious eye injury or chemical splash
• After a corneal transplant, new pain, redness, light sensitivity, discharge, or worsening vision
• A white spot or sore on the cornea that is getting worse

Book a routine appointment if:

• Gradual blurring, glare, or cloudiness in one or both eyes
• A family history of corneal disease
• Trouble with contact lenses or repeated eye infections
• Questions about corneal donation or transplant

Diagnosis

An eye doctor (ophthalmologist) diagnoses corneal problems by asking about your symptoms, checking your vision, and looking closely at your eye with a special microscope called a slit lamp. If a transplant may be needed, more tests can map the shape and health of your cornea.

Tests that may be done

• Vision test (visual acuity)
• Slit-lamp eye exam
• Corneal topography, a scan that maps the cornea’s shape
• Pachymetry, a test that measures corneal thickness
• Specular microscopy, which checks the cells on the back of the cornea
• Eye pressure check
• Sometimes blood tests or imaging for donor screening or surgery planning

What to expect at your appointment

Most tests are quick and painless. You may have drops to numb the eye or widen the pupil, and your vision may be blurry for a few hours. Ask your clinic what to expect and whether someone should drive you home.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the cause and how much the cornea is damaged. Some people manage with glasses, contact lenses, or eye drops. When the cornea is badly scarred, swollen, or misshapen, a corneal transplant may be offered. Donated corneal tissue is checked for safety before use.

Self-care at home

• Follow your eye care team’s instructions carefully.
• Wash your hands before touching your eye or using eye drops.
• Do not rub your eyes.
• Wear safety glasses for DIY, sports, or work that could injure your eye.
• Keep contact lenses clean and follow good lens hygiene.
• Attend all follow-up appointments.
• Ask before using any new eye drops or medicines.

Medical treatments

Doctors may treat the underlying cause with eye drops or other medicines to reduce inflammation or infection. Glasses or special contact lenses can help vision. For donation, eye banks screen donor tissue and match it for surgery. Surgery is only one part of care; regular follow-up is important.

When is surgery considered?

A transplant may be recommended when corneal damage causes vision loss or pain that affects daily life and cannot be helped by other treatments. The surgeon may replace the whole cornea or only the damaged layers. Your eye team will explain the risks, benefits, and waiting process.

Living with this condition

After a corneal transplant, healing takes time. Your vision may be blurry or change day to day at first. You will need regular eye checks, and you may need to protect the eye while it heals. Most people can return to normal activities gradually, as advised.

Lifestyle tips

• Avoid eye rubbing and pressing on the eye.
• Use protective eyewear for sports, DIY, and risky work.
• Do not swim or use hot tubs until your eye team says it is safe.
• Keep hands and eye drops clean.
• Avoid smoking and smoky places to help eye comfort.
• Ask when it is safe to drive, fly, or return to exercise.

Diet and exercise

A balanced diet and regular activity support general health and healing. Ask your eye team when you can restart exercise, lifting, or contact sports after surgery.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

Vision changes and eye surgery can cause worry, frustration, or sadness. It is normal to feel anxious while waiting for a transplant or recovering. Talking to your care team, family, or a counselor can help.

Prevention

Not all corneal problems can be prevented, but you can lower some risks. Protect your eyes from injury, treat eye infections early, practice good contact lens hygiene, and have regular eye checks if you have a family history of corneal disease.

Vaccines

No vaccine prevents the need for a corneal transplant. Some infections that can damage the eye may be prevented through routine vaccination and good hygiene; ask your clinician what is recommended for you.

Screening programmes

Regular eye exams can find corneal problems early, especially if you have a family history, keratoconus, or long-term contact lens use. Donated corneal tissue is screened by eye banks before transplant.

Complications

If left untreated

• Worsening vision or blindness
• Long-term eye pain, redness, or light sensitivity
• Corneal ulcer or infection
• Corneal perforation, a hole in the cornea
• Glaucoma or other eye damage
• After transplant, rejection or infection if follow-up is missed

Long-term outlook

The outlook for corneal transplant is often good. Many people have clearer vision and less pain, and rejection can often be treated if caught early. Support and regular follow-up make a real difference.

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