Corneal Transplant at University of Colorado Hospital
Why Choose University of Colorado Hospital for Corneal Transplant?
The Department of Ophthalmology was ranked by Ophthalmology Times as one of the 10 best patient care programs in the country. Our doctors are all fellowship trained in a wide range of specialty areas and are able to treat the most complicated cases.
Our opthamologists perform cutting edge research that contributes to improvements in care and advancement of knowledge in the field. As professors and leaders in the field, they teach the next generation of caregivers. With over 35,000 patient visits a year, we have seen it all. Let us help you keep your eyes healthy.
What is a Corneal Transplant?
Corneal transplant is a surgical procedure to replace a damaged or diseased cornea. The cornea is the clear tissue on the front of the eye that helps focus light on the retina. It is the part of the eye on which a contact lens rests. When the cornea is damaged it may need to be replaced.
Corneal transplantation is recommended for persons who have:
- Thinning and excess curvature of the cornea that causes vision problems that are not correctable with glasses or contact lenses (medical name: keratoconus)
- Scarring of the cornea from severe infections or injuries
- Cloudiness of the cornea that causes vision loss (medical name: Fuchs dystrophy or other corneal dystrophies)
The doctor removes the small circle sized cornea in the eye and replaces it with donor corneal tissue. This donor tissue comes from a person who has recently passed away and has previously agreed to donate their corneas.
Success rates for corneal transplantation depend on the reason for the transplant. Most patients do very well. However, other eye conditions, such as glaucoma, may affect results.
Corneal Surgery – Expertise equals choice
Thanks to the extent of their expertise, our doctors are able to offer a variety of surgical options that further customize your treatment choices.
Descemet's Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSAEK) – For cases in which only the innermost layer of the cornea is damaged or dysfunctional, our doctors perform DSAEK - one of the newest surgical techniques in corneal transplantation. In this surgery, only the innermost layer of the cornea is transplanted. The donor cornea is held in place with an air bubble. This eliminates the need for sutures to hold the donor cornea in place. As a result, oftentimes the visual recovery is faster and more successful with DSAEK as compared to other techniques.
Partial transplant (Lamellar transplant or lamellar keratoplasty) – You may be a candidate for a partial transplant if only the front (anterior) or back (posterior) part of the cornea is affected. This may happen due to LASIK surgery complications or other conditions. There are many advantages to this type of transplant including significantly lower rejection rates. This procedure requires a very high level of skill and specialized equipment and, as a result, it is not offered in many places.
Kerato-prosthesis – Sometimes the body rejects a transplant. For patients who have experienced multiple rejections, your doctor may opt to use an artificial cornea. Our surgeons have experience with the Alphacor artificial cornea and the Boston Keratoprosthesis (K-Pro).
Corneal Transplant Medical Team
Your medical team may include the following
Ophthalmologist – A physician specialist expert in the treatment of diseases of the eyeball and retina. Ophthalmologists are trained to perform surgery.
Anesthesiologist – a doctor trained to administer medication to patients during surgery or other procedures.
Certified nurse anesthesiologist (CRNA) – nurses licensed in the state of Colorado who specialize in anesthesiology
Ophthalmology Clinic Information
Call us for more information or to set up an appointment.
Phone Number: (720) 848-2020
Physical Address:
Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Institute
Anschutz Medical Campus
1675 N. Ursula Street
Aurora, CO 80045