The Cornea Research Foundation of America recommends a corneal transplant to patients with specific needs. It encourages patients to have a comprehensive eye exam to determine the extent of the corneal damage. The condition of your cornea will determine if you are a candidate for a corneal transplant. If you want to find out who are good candidates for this transplant, here’s what you should know.

Corneal Scarring

The cornea is the external, dome-shaped layer of the eye. It controls the way light enters the eye, helping your eye focus. This protective structure often heals from minor scratches. If it has major damage, this will result in corneal scarring.

Corneal scarring can result from burns, lacerations, diseases (shingles or syphilis), or improper use of contact lenses. New blood vessels or scar tissue may replace the clear corneal tissue layer. These scars can obstruct your vision. A corneal transplant can help remove the scarred layer and renew your vision. You must see your eye doctor if you have a scratching or burning sensation in your eye, light sensitivity, or excessive tearing.

Corneal Edema

You can be a candidate for a corneal transplant if you have this condition. This is the term for corneal swelling. There is a collection of fluid in your cornea. It results in cloudy vision if it does not receive proper treatment. This often happens to some people as they wake up in the morning. It then fades within the day as the eyes remain open and dry up.

Infectious Keratitis

This results from a protozoan, fungal, bacterial, or viral infection. The cornea swells up and develops an irregular shape. Without treatment, the damage will worsen. This may lead to vision loss. Common symptoms are excessive tearing, light sensitivity, blurred vision, or decreased vision. You should see your eye doctor right away. You may need a corneal transplant to correct your vision.

Keratoconus

This is a progressive eye disease in which the cornea develops a conical shape and weakens. Your eye doctor will decide if a corneal transplant can help your situation. Injury or disease can result in keratoconus.

Fuch’s Dystrophy

In this condition, the fluid buildup in the cornea causes it to thicken. This leads to eye discomfort, blurred vision, glare, or cloudy vision. Fuch’s dystrophy affects both your eyes. It can cause your vision to worsen over the years. This condition often starts in your 30s and 40s. But most people start experiencing symptoms in their 50s or 60s.

Common symptoms are glare, vision fluctuation, cloudy vision, grittiness, and pain. You may also start to see halos around lights. You need immediate treatment for this condition. This affects the vision in both your eyes. Your eye doctor will recommend a corneal transplant if your vision impairment is starting to affect your activities of daily living.

You are a good candidate for a corneal transplant if you have the mentioned corneal conditions. At Coastal Vision, we always ensure the safety and health of our patients during our delicate procedures. For an in-person consultation, you can visit our clinics in Orange, Norco, Long Beach, and Irvine, California. You can also call us at 888-501-4496 if you want to set an appointment or ask questions about our corneal transplant packages.