Corneal Transplant at University of Colorado Hospital

Why Choose University of Colorado Hospital for Corneal Transplant?

The Department of Ophthalmology at UCH 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.

What is a Corneal Transplant?

Corneal transplant is a surgical procedure that replaces 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)

In this procedure, 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. A donor cornea is rarely rejected – because it does not have its own blood supply, the white blood cells and antibodies that target foreign tissue do not reach it.

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 you a variety of surgical options.

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, a patient's visual recovery often is faster and more successful with DSAEK than with 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. Among the advantages to this type of transplant are significantly lower rejection rates. This procedure requires a very high level of skill and specialized equipment, and is offered only at top facilities.

Kerato-prosthesis – Occasionally the body rejects a corneal transplant. For patients who have experienced multiple rejections, your doctor may opt to use an artificial cornea. Our surgeons have transplant experience with the Alphacor artificial cornea and the Boston Keratoprosthesis (K-Pro).

Corneal Transplant: Featured Doctors

Michael J. Taravella, MD, has been named five times as one of Denver’s Top Doctors in 5280 Magazine.  He is a nationally recognized specialist in LASIK and refractive surgery, corneal surgery and cataract surgery.  Dr. Taravella also is an expert in the treatment of corneal conditions, including corneal transplantation.

Richard S. Davidson, MD, is widely respected for his clinical expertise and research in the treatment of corneal conditions.  He specializes in refractive procedures such as LASIK and PRK surgery, small incision and no-stitch cataract surgery, corneal transplantation and other procedures. Dr. Davidson lectures internationally, nationally and locally and is also a resource on vision correction surgery for the media.

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 Aurora Court
Aurora, CO 80045