- 8 Essential post-operative care
- Signs of transplant rejection
- When corneal transplantation is indicated
- Who can be a corneal donor
Corneal transplantation, which is the transparent tissue that lines the eye, is a surgery to replace the diseased cornea with a healthy one that allows good vision. The surgery is performed at SUS and it is not always necessary to remove the points of the surgery, which are not visible to the naked eye.
In the postoperative period of the corneal transplant, the individual is released with a dressing in the eye that should only be removed by the doctor on the postoperative visit the next day. During this period one should avoid making efforts and eat healthy, drinking plenty of water to keep the body and the new cornea well hydrated. With the evolution of types of corneal transplantation, visual recovery has become faster and faster.
During the consultation, the doctor will remove the bandage and the person will be able to see, although the vision is still a little blurred initially, gradually it becomes clearer.
8 Essential post-operative care
Care after corneal transplantation is very important to avoid rejection and possible complications. So it is recommended:
- Rest during the 1st day; Do not wet the dressing; Use eye drops and remedies prescribed by the doctor after removing the dressing; Avoid rubbing the operated eye; Use acrylic protection to sleep so as not to press on the eyes; Wear sunglasses when exposed in the sun and also indoors when the lights are on (if you are bothered); avoid doing physical exercise in the first week after the transplant;
During the corneal transplant recovery period, the individual should be aware of signs of corneal rejection, such as red eye, eye pain, decreased vision or excessive sensitivity to light.
As with any other surgery, complications can arise that can impair vision such as inflammation, infection, bleeding, retinal detachment. There may also be rupture of the stitches and swelling of the cornea, so if you have any symptoms you should see your doctor.
Signs of transplant rejection
Rejection to the transplanted cornea can happen to anyone who has had this transplant and although it is more common in the first few months after surgery, rejection can happen even 30 years after this procedure.
Signs that may indicate rejection can be seen 14 days after transplantation and are:
- Redness of the eyes; Photophobia - difficulty keeping the eyes open in very bright places or in the sun; Blurred or blurred vision; Pain in the eyes.
Some situations that increase the risk of rejection are a previous transplant that was rejected by the body, when the individual is young, there are signs of eye inflammation, glaucoma or herpes, for example.
To reduce the risk of rejection, the ophthalmologist usually recommends the use of corticosteroids in the form of an ointment or eye drops, such as prednisolone acetate 1%, to be applied directly to the transplanted eye and immunosuppressive drugs.
When corneal transplantation is indicated
Corneal transplantation can be indicated for the treatment of diseases related to corneal transparency, such as:
- Bullous keratopathy; Fuchs dystrophy.
Generally, corneal transplantation is done under local anesthesia and in a surgical block, requiring fasting 6-8 hours before surgery.
Who can be a corneal donor
Anyone between 5 and 70 years of age can be a corneal donor after his death and it is enough to communicate his relatives of this desire. However, the removal of the person's corneas is only done when a family member signs a document at the hospital allowing their removal.
The removal of the corneas is not indicated when the individual has the HIV virus, leukemia, generalized infection or when the cause of death is not known.
