What Is a Corneal Transplant and Who Needs One?

The cornea (the clear, dome-shaped surface at the front of the eye) acts as a protective layer, helping to focus light so you can see clearly. When the cornea is cloudy, scarred, or misshapen, vision can become blurred, and everyday tasks such as reading, driving, or recognizing faces can become difficult.

That’s when a corneal transplant may be the most effective way to restore vision.

At Milwaukee Eye Associates, our respected board-certified and fellowship-trained ophthalmologist, Dr. Kenneth Weinlander, offers advanced procedures tailored to each patient’s needs. He has specialized skills as a cornea expert and routinely performs corneal transplants for patients who need them. Surgeries are conveniently on-site, in our state-of-the-art surgery suite. This makes the entire process more convenient, affordable, and easy.

Read on to learn exactly what the process involves and when you might be a good candidate.

What Is a Corneal Transplant?

A corneal transplant removes damaged or diseased corneal tissue and replaces it with healthy donor tissue. The goal is to restore visual clarity, ease discomfort, and enhance eye health.

Depending on the part of the cornea affected, only certain layers or, potentially, the entire cornea, may require replacement.

• Endothelial Transplants (DMEK & DSAEK): These techniques focus on the innermost layer of the cornea, the endothelium. DMEK involves replacing just the thin endothelial layer. DSAEK uses a slightly thicker graft. Both approaches restore vision by replacing cells that maintain the cornea’s clarity.
• Descemet’s Stripping Only (DSO): In select cases, instead of adding donor tissue, Dr. Weinlander removes the diseased cells and prescribes eye drops to promote healthy cell regeneration. Dr. Weinlander is one of a tiny number of surgeons in our region with the unique training and skills to perform this innovative technique.
• Full-Thickness Transplant (PKP): When all layers of the cornea are affected, a full corneal transplant replaces the entire cornea to restore vision.
• Partial-Thickness Transplant (DALK): For patients with disease or scarring in the outer or middle layers of the cornea, this procedure preserves the healthy inner layer and replaces only the damaged portions of the cornea.

Who Needs a Corneal Transplant?

A corneal transplant may be a good choice for patients with corneal disease or damage that’s not correctable with other treatments. Conditions that may lead to surgery include:

• Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy
• Advanced keratoconus
• Corneal scarring from infections or injury
• Severe thinning or bulging of the cornea
• Clouding after previous eye surgery

Every patient’s situation is different. Dr. Weinlander takes the time to expertly evaluate the specific layers of the cornea involved, discusses the available options, and recommends the surgery most likely to achieve clear, lasting vision.

In some cases, Dr. Weinlander may recommend other procedures at the same time, for example, cataract surgery if you have a cloudy eye lens.

Personalized Cornea Care in Milwaukee, WI

If you’ve been told you may need a corneal transplant, or if you’re experiencing vision changes due to corneal disease, call Milwaukee Eye Surgeons today at 414-377-5550 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Weinlander in Brookfield, WI.