Cornea transplant surgery

Tower Clock Eye Center performs cornea transplant surgery (keratoplasty) for patients with damaged corneas, the clear window-like front part of the eye. Transplants are done to replace tissue because of several corneal conditions including:

  • Advanced keratoconus
  • Fuch’s dystrophy
  • Surgical complications
  • Eye injury
  • Corneal swelling
  • Cornea ulcers

In surgery, your doctor will replace the damaged tissue with new tissue from a donor source. The new tissue will better allow light to pass through the eye and improve vision.

Types of cornea transplant Surgery

Among the cornea transplant procedures Tower Clock Eye Center offers are:

  • DMEK, or Descemet’s membrane endothelial keratoplasty, is a newer procedure where the surgeon removes and replaces the endothelium and Descemet’s membrane (no stroma) from a donor source.

View Video

  • DSEK, or Descemet’s stripping endothelial keratoplasty, is a common procedure where the surgeon replaces the endothelium and the Descemet’s membrane with donor endothelium and Descemet’s membrane and stroma still attached.

View Video

  • PKP, or penetrating keratoplasty, replaces all layers in the cornea through surgery. During PKP new tissue is sewn into place. Often performed on the most damaged eyes, it has the longest healing times.

View Video

Day of surgery

Cornea transplant surgeries are outpatient procedures that take up to an hour to complete, depending on the complexity of the case. Patients are given medications to relax them and numb their eyes. During surgery your surgeon will perform the transplant while looking through a microscope.

Recovery

Since the cornea doesn’t receive blood, it heals slowly and must remain protected beyond surgery. The time needed for full recovery following a procedure vary but can take 6 months to a year. Vision slowly improves. Patients are prescribed eye drops to help the eye heal and prevent infection. The eye must be protected at all times. For DMEK and DSEK patients, they’ll need to lay on their backs to allow the tiny gas bubble in the eye help place the new tissue for several days.

Our team works with each patient to determine the best surgical procedure for a successful outcome. Our goal is to protect and restore vision. To schedule your appointment, please call 920 499-3102.

Latest News

03.07.23

Dry Eye

Tower Clock Eye Center doctors are experts in treating dry eye, a chronic, common condition that affects a wide range of people, especially older adults. During each blink the eye spreads tears around the cornea, or front-facing surface of the eye. These tears are the eye’s lubrication and maintain clarity. In addition, they wash away... read more

03.07.23

What is a stye?

We've all likely had one at some point, but what is a stye? And more importantly how can you prevent or treat it. Watch Dr. Kunal Patel, MD, explain what a stye is and simple things you can do to help it heal faster. For appointments, call 920 499-3102.

Locate Our Office

Green Bay Office

1087 West Mason St
Green Bay, WI 54303

» Get Directions

Shawano Office

229 East Green Bay Street
Shawano, WI 54166

» Get Directions

Oconto Office & Medical Center

820 Arbutus Ave
Oconto, WI 54153

» Get Directions

Tower Clock Surgery Center

1077 West Mason Street
Green Bay, WI 54303

» Get Directions

Appleton Office

3142 N. Richmond St.
Appleton, WI 54911

» Get Directions

Manitowoc Office

2300 Western Ave
Manitowoc, WI 54220

» Get Directions

 



Cataract Surgery
Close