Unfortunately, there are times when a body part becomes more of a liability than an asset, which can be true of your cornea. In these cases, a corneal transplant is an effective solution, which the ophthalmologists at Pacific Eye offer at their offices in San Luis Obispo, Lompoc, Paso Robles, Pismo Beach, and Santa Maria, California, as well as Optical Concepts in Santa Maria. To learn more about a corneal transplant, call or schedule an appointment online today at one of Pacific Eye’s six offices in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties.
Your cornea is the outermost layer of your eye that plays a critical role in how you see. As the first point of entry for light, your cornea receives and funnels the light through your lens in a process known as refraction.
This dome-shaped outer layer also helps filter out the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays, as well as protect your eyes against dirt and debris.
There are many reasons why you may need a corneal transplant, chief among them:
Many of these conditions can cause discomfort in addition to vision loss, which is why a corneal transplant may be a good idea.
During a corneal transplant, your ophthalmologist at Pacific Eye uses a donor cornea to replace your damaged one and restore your vision. This procedure, known as a keratoplasty, is considered relatively safe and enjoys a great success rate.
Before your keratoplasty, your surgeon gives you an oral sedative and a local anesthetic. Using the most advanced surgical techniques available, your surgeon removes the damaged areas of your cornea and grafts the new tissue into place.
When you’re finished, you’re free to go home, but it’s important that you follow your doctor’s aftercare instructions to the letter for optimal results.
To learn more about either procedure, please call Pacific Eye or book an appointment online today.
Request an AppointmentTo avoid any confusion between a corneal transplant and a corneal implant, here’s a quick look at what a corneal implant accomplishes.
At Pacific Eye, the ophthalmologists turn to Intacs® corneal implants to correct mild to moderate nearsightedness (myopia) without permanently altering your cornea. This is a great procedure for those who want to avoid irreversible surgical solutions, and also an excellent option for those with keratoconus.
The FDA-approved implants are very small, crescent-shaped pieces of the same clear plastic polymer found in cataract intraocular lens (IOL) implants. Your surgeon inserts the Intacs under the outer edge of your cornea to flatten the cornea and correct the path of light entering your eye. The end result is clearer, sharper vision at a range of distances.
Pacific Eye Surgeons has offices in San Luis Obispo, Lompoc, Paso Robles, Pismo Beach, Orcutt, and Santa Maria, California, as well as Optical Concepts in Santa Maria.
