Corneal Transplant Merrillville and Hobart

Corneal transplantation is becoming more common and effective. Due to the modern efficiencies of our nation's eye banks, tissue can be obtained rapidly and is almost always ready for use at the time of surgery. At Deen-Gross Eye Centers, our desire is to quickly, safely, and successfully treat your vision loss in a convenient and affordable way. For patients who have experienced vision loss as a result of a damaged cornea, we offer revolutionary corneal transplant surgical treatment at our eye care centers in Merrillville and Hobart, Indiana.

About Corneal Transplants

Corneal transplant surgery is most commonly used on patients who suffer from:

Keratoconus - a bulging cone-like shape that protrudes from the surface of your eye once your cornea thins out. Keratoconus causes blurred vision and sensitivity to light and glare.

Fuchs' Dystrophy - this uncommon disorder causes a hazy film to develop over the cornea. The cause of the disorder is thought to be hereditary.

Scaring - corneal scaring is usually caused by infection or injury. Scaring can easily be removed and the appearance of your eyes can be improved using donor tissue.

Types of Transplants

At Deen-Gross Eye Center we perform a variety of corneal transplant procedures including:

Corneal Endothelial Transplantation - Patients who suffer from Fuchs’ dystrophy, endothelial dysfunction, and various forms of keratopathy may benefit from this type of transplantation. Having an endothelial transplantation can result in a quicker visual recovery and reduced astigmatism. You are at a lower risk of rejection because only a minimal amount of tissue is being used. 

DSEK - Descemet’s Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty is an alternative to corneal grafting. Also known as a partial-thickness transplant, the procedure involves the replacement of only the endothelial layer with healthy, donor tissue. This revolutionary type of transplant is completely safe and less invasive than a graft, and takes only about 30 minutes to perform.  

Lamellar Transplants - Commonly referred to as EK, this transplantation technique has allowed many patients to regain 20/20 vision. The partial-corneal transplantation procedure does not require sutures; rather, it uses intracameral air bubbles to dissect and replace tissue. EK transplantation uses a donor’s endothelium to replace the inner layer or surface layers of the cornea with a graft of donor tissue.  

Safety

Corneal transplantation surgery has a high success rate, but some problems can occur due to the complexity of the surgery and the use of donor tissue. Although complications are not common, they are more likely to occur after having surgery. Often, the most common complication is rejection of the new cornea. This problem can be recognized by increased sensitivity to light and an influx in eye pain. Because rejection of the new donor tissue can take place even several years after having surgery, we require our patients to schedule and attend follow-up appointment every few month. This way, our specialists can keep a close eye on their recovery and discover and treat developing problems, if any begin to take form. 

Cost

When recommending corneal transplant surgery, our eye care experts will educate you on the cost of the procedure, risks and benefits of the surgery, and what to expect before, during, and after treatment. Our team has found that by opening the door for communication, a patient will feel more at ease, not apprehensive, comforted, and prepared. Our skilled surgeons welcome questions, so it is important to write down concerns and questions to ask the doctors before undergoing surgical treatment. Deen-Gross Eye Centers accept almost all medical insurances, so contact us to find out how much of your procedure will be covered.

Results and Benefits of Having a Corneal Transplant

Our corneal specialists have spent years perfecting the art of surgery and honing their technical skills to help patients receive the best possible outcome following every procedure. Although the goal of having corneal implant surgery is to receive restored vision, the procedure, in most cases, only restores part of it. Your results will depend on the extent of your condition before surgery and your current health conditions. There are several benefits of having a corneal transplant especially if your cornea is thinning, diseased, or heavily scared. Some benefits of the procedure include:

• Improved visual sharpness
• Restored sight
• Strengthened cornea
• Improved appearance of corneal scaring
• Corrects astigmatism and other refractive errors

Contact Our Corneal Transplant Specialists

All of our surgeries are performed in the comfort of our luxurious, first-class facilities in Merrillville and Hobart, Indiana. Your convenience and comfort are very high priorities. The vision care professionals at Deen-Gross Eye Centers believe that every patient should feel at ease and confident when undergoing any form of treatment, which is why our team works to create a calming, friendly environment at both of our centers. Contact us today to see what our specialists can do to improve your vision and change your life.