Szaruhártyaátültetés

Szaruhártyaátültetés, also known as corneal transplantation or keratoplasty, is a surgical procedure to replace a diseased or damaged cornea with healthy donor tissue. The cornea is the transparent outer layer at the front of the eye that covers the iris, pupil, and anterior chamber. Its main function is to refract, or bend, light.

Corneal transplantation is performed to restore vision in people suffering from various corneal conditions that impair sight, such as keratoconus, Fuchs' dystrophy, corneal scars from infections or injuries, and severe dry eye. The goal is to improve the clarity of the cornea, allowing light to enter the eye and focus properly on the retina, thereby improving visual acuity.

The procedure involves removing the damaged central portion of the recipient's cornea and replacing it with a donor cornea of similar size and shape. There are different types of corneal transplantation, including penetrating keratoplasty (PKP), which replaces the full thickness of the cornea, and lamellar keratoplasty (LK), which replaces only specific layers of the cornea. Lamellar keratoplasty has become more common in recent years as it generally offers faster recovery and a lower risk of rejection compared to PKP.

Donor corneas are obtained from deceased individuals who have consented to organ donation. These corneas are carefully screened and preserved before being used for transplantation. The surgery is typically performed under local or general anesthesia. After the transplant, patients require a period of recovery, which includes the use of eye drops to prevent infection and rejection. Regular follow-up appointments are crucial to monitor the healing process and the success of the transplant. While successful, there is always a risk of rejection, where the recipient's immune system attacks the donor tissue.