Eye transplantation, as doctors generally perform is actually corneal transplantation. Only the front transparent portion of the eye, the cornea is transplanted. The whole eye is not transplanted. A corneal transplant is the way of removing your damaged cornea and replacing it with a healthy cornea from the eye of a suitable donor.
Procedures for the donor and recipient
The donor will be a person who has (or whose family has) given consent for their corneas to be used for medical purposes after their death. The request for eye donation is made on the driver’s license. It can be made to relatives/ friends during life or at the time of death.
The patient’s name will be included in an Eye Transplant waiting list. All the required information like the age, type of corneal diseases, and urgency of the transplant will be listed. The most important thing he should furnish is an emergency contact address and a phone number.
The surgery
The operation can be carried out either under local or general anesthetic. The operation involves the removal of a circular piece of the affected cornea and replacing it with a piece of the donor cornea of exactly the same size and shape. The stitches may be noticeable as they make a distinctive star-like pattern around the outer edge of the cornea.
Some myths and facts
Those willing to donate their eyes after their lifetime are a great deal apprehensive about the whole procedure as are his relatives. Actually, these fears may be based on myths.
- Myth: My loved one has suffered so much because of his illness. I don’t want him (or her) to suffer anymore.
- Fact: Your loved one is dead at the time of donation and cannot feel pain.
- Myth: The body will be disfigured as the eyes are removed.
- Fact: The donor’s eye is never removed and replaced during an operation. The transplantation involves only the cornea. Also, artificial corneas are implanted and the eye-lids are intact.
- Myth: My eyesight is poor. Nobody would want my organs.
- Fact: Don’t disqualify yourself prematurely. Only medical professionals at the time of your death can determine whether your organs are suitable for transplantation.
