What is Cornea?

The cornea is the clear, front window of the eye. It helps focus light into the eye so that you can see. The cornea is made of layers of cells. These layers work together to protect your eye and provide clear vision.

Your cornea must be clear, smooth and healthy for good vision. If it is scarred, swollen, or damaged, light is not focused properly into the eye. As a result, your vision is blurry or you see glare.

Corneal Transplantation

If your cornea cannot be healed or repaired, your ophthalmologist may recommend a corneal transplant. This is when the diseased cornea is replaced with a clear, healthy cornea from a human donor.

A human donor is someone who chooses to donate (give) his or her corneas after their death to people who need them. All donated corneas are carefully tested to make sure they are healthy and safe to use.

What conditions can be treated with Cornea Transplant?

A number of conditions can be treated with a cornea transplant, including:

• A cornea that bulges outward (keratoconus)
• Fuchs’ dystrophy
• Thinning of the cornea
• Cornea scarring, caused by infection or injury
• Clouding of the cornea
• Swelling of the cornea
• Corneal ulcers, including those caused by infection
• Complications caused by previous eye surgery