Whether it's through relationships, restored health, and improved lives, organ donation has opened many opportunities for many. Did you know that you save and improve about 75 lives, according to mayoclinic.org? Yep, that's right! There's so many organs and body parts that you can donate that you may not even be familiar about. One of them is the cornea. Let's see what the cornea transplant entails.
What exactly is the cornea?
The cornea is the clear outer covering, located at the front of the eyeball. It’s known as the “window” of the eye. When the cornea is damaged, it can become less important or its shape can change. Therefore, this can prevent light from reaching the retina and causes the picture transmitted.
What are the benefits of a cornea transplant?
-restore vision
-reduce pain
-improve the appearance of a diseased or damaged cornea
*Good news: Many cornea transplantations are successful! Only a few cases are unsuccessful, as the transplant is rejected.
Diseases and Conditions of the Cornea
-have keratoconus (where the cornea bulges outward)
-Fuchs dystrophy (a genetic condition)
-cornea scarring, sometimes even after surgery
-corneal ulcers not responding to medical treatment
What are the risks of a cornea transplant?
Many cornea transplantations are successful! Only a few cases are unsuccessful and may have risks.
-eye infection
-Glaucoma or the pressure increase within the eyeball
-bleeding
-rejection
How are Donors Matched?
Corneas used in transplants come from people who have died. Unlike people who need organs such as livers and kidneys, people needing cornea transplants don't require tissue matching.
Fun Fact
In the United States, donor corneas are widely available, so there's usually not a long waiting list.
WOOHOO!!