According to the National Health Interview Survey published in 2016, approximately 25 million American adults in the United States experience a form of vision loss or impairment. There are conditions such as farsightedness and nearsightedness which can be easily corrected with contact lenses or prescription glasses, but there are also conditions that are more severe and may require surgical intervention. Dr. Brian Groat and the team at Cape Fear Cataract and Cornea of Wilmington, NC find that there are several situations which may occur that might lead him to recommend corneal transplant procedures to his patients.

What is a corneal transplant?

Corneal transplant is the replacement of the cornea during surgery. A donor cornea, or an artificial cornea, is used and placed into the eye with this procedure. While it may sound scary, it is a common procedure performed by our team and can help patients address a variety of issues.

Why might I need a corneal transplant?

Corneal transplant surgery is often recommended for patients who experience:

• Fuch’s dystrophy – a chronic medical condition known as Fuch’s Dystrophy is a corneal disease that can cause the endothelial layer of the cornea to die off, leaving the cornea swollen. The condition can cause poor vision, and may even result in blisters that develop on the corneal that can be incredibly painful.
• Corneal thinning – some patients have medical conditions that can also lead to the thinning of the cornea. When this happens, patients may experience blurry vision or glare that impedes their ability to perform certain daily activities, including typing on a computer, reading a book, or driving a vehicle.
• Infection/inflammation – corneal transplant is often recommended if permanent damage has occurred to the eyes due to an infection or inflammation. This results in corneal scarring that can impact one’s visual acuity. With corneal transplant, the issue can be resolved.

Interested in corneal transplant surgery?

Connect with Dr. Brian Groat by calling (910) 769-4590 and discussing the benefits of undergoing this procedure. Many patients in the area of Wilmington, NC will find this to be a lifechanging experience and help in the treatment of conditions that impact their vision.