The cornea is the clear tissue (window) on the surface of the eye overlying the iris (coloured part of the eye) and the pupil. Rarely disease can lead to the need to replace the cornea (a corneal graft, also referred to as a corneal transplant). This operation is usually performed to increase vision and / or make the eye more comfortable.
Conditions that may require corneal transplants:
- Keratoconus: a thinning and irregularity of the cornea
- Hereditary corneal swelling: such as Fuch’s dystrophy
- Corneal swelling after eye surgery: such as cataract surgery
- Scarring after infections or injury
- Rejection of a previous corneal transplant