If you’re considering a corneal transplant, you may be wondering, is corneal transplant surgery painful? Are you awake for a corneal transplant? And, how long does it take to recover from a corneal transplant?

Before the procedure, your doctor will offer you either local or general anesthesia depending on your comfortability with the procedure. During the procedure, you will not be able to feel any pain but you may experience some slight discomfort during recovery.

Eye Center of Texas is a premier eye care practice with several locations throughout Texas. In this article, our cataract surgeons are going to walk you through what type of pain to expect during the procedure and throughout your recovery.

Are cornea transplants painful?

The cornea transplant procedure itself is not painful. Your surgeon will use a local anesthetic to numb your eye and may give you general anesthesia or a sedative if you’re feeling anxious about the transplant. Even if you choose to be left awake for the procedure, the anesthesia will generally prevent you from feeling any pain.

You may feel discomfort for the next couple of days following the procedure but you shouldn’t experience any severe pain. If you do, please don’t hesitate to call your surgeon. They’ll be able to check for any infections and can give you advice on how to help mitigate the pain.

What is a cornea transplant?

Your cornea is the clear layer of tissue on the outside of your eye that filters light and helps you see clearly. If it gets damaged or is diseased, your surgeon can remove the damaged part of the cornea and replace it with donated cornea tissue through a procedure called a cornea transplant, or keratoplasty. There are various types of corneal transplant options including partial cornea transplant and full-thickness corneal transplant.

What is the success rate of a corneal transplant? 

The success rate of the transplanted cornea is 91% in the first year. Most patients will experience clear vision in anywhere from a week to a year, depending on the patient and their unique healing process. Common causes for lesser outcomes can include organ rejection, glaucoma, or retina problems.

Why would someone need a cornea transplant?

Why would someone need a cornea transplant? You may need a cornea transplant if you’ve experienced the following eye problems:

• Corneal swelling
• Cornea scarring
• Scratched cornea
• Thinning, clouding, or swelling of the cornea
• Keratoconus
• Fuchs’ dystrophy
• Infections

If you aren’t sure whether or not you’re a good candidate for a cornea transplant, schedule an appointment with your doctor. They can help recommend the right treatment for your needs.

How long does it take to recover from a corneal transplant?

Full recovery time from a corneal transplant is dependent on the individual. Generally speaking, it can take up to a year to fully recover from a corneal transplant. However, most people are back to their normal routines within one to two weeks with the exception of heavy lifting. It’s advised to wait at least four weeks before doing any heavy lifting, or longer if your doctor advises it.

Please keep in mind that cornea transplants do not necessarily restore full vision and you may still need corrective devices like glasses or contact lenses after the procedure. That said, there are several corrective procedures that you can ask your surgeon about following a corneal transplant. For instance, you may be a good LASIK eye surgery candidate, can consider PRK, or ask about Visian Toric ICL.

Eye Center of Texas offers corneal transplants in locations throughout Texas

To answer the question, is corneal transplant surgery painful? Neither the procedure itself nor the recovery should cause patients any serious pain.

If you have any questions about anesthesia options for the procedure, recovery, or success rates, Eye Center of Texas is here for you. We have decades of combined experience treating eye diseases and vision issues with the safest and most advanced surgical techniques.

To learn more about corneal transplant surgery, contact us today at 713-797-1010 or request an appointment online.

More Helpful Articles by Eye Center of Texas:

• Who is a Candidate for Corneal Transplant?
• Cornea Transplant Recovery in Houston: A Guide
• What Causes Eye Flashes and Floaters?
• Laser Treatment for Eye Floaters Relief
• Can You Reverse Presbyopia?

Not all pterygium require treatment or surgery, but if the scar-like tissue is causing loss of vision, discomfort, or is not responding to eye drops, you may be a candidate for pterygium surgery in Houston. 

What is pterygium?

Pterygium, commonly known as “surfer’s eye”, are non-cancerous growths that begin on the white of your eye (or conjunctiva). They then spread across your cornea and eventually into your pupil, ultimately causing loss of vision and requiring removal by surgery. The exact cause of pterygium is not known, but its growth is believed to be influenced by UV damage to the eyes and other environmental factors such as dust, sand, and wind.

Continue reading: Can the Sun Hurt Your Eyes?

What is Pterygium Surgery?

Pterygium surgery is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure that generally only takes about 30-45 minutes per eye. If you have pterygium on both eyes, your procedures will be staggered by a few weeks to allow time for each eye to heal independently.

During the procedure, the pterygium is removed and replaced with a graft of conjunctival tissue from the white of the eye under your eyelid to ensure that the pterygium does not grow back in the exposed healing area. Local and general anesthetics are both employed for your comfort during the procedure, and an oral sedative is available should you feel particularly nervous. After the procedure, your ophthalmologist may apply a surgical eye patch to ensure an immediate start to the healing. You should arrange a ride home and plan to be there until the doctor says otherwise.

Recovery From Pterygium Surgery

What is the recovery time for pterygium surgery? While the techniques used vary majorly from those applied in LASIK eye surgery and laser cataract surgery, the recovery processes for most of these procedures are similar. As soon as the day after your surgery you will have a postoperative visit with your ophthalmologist to remove the surgical patch. You can expect some mild irritation, sensitivity to light, and blurry vision for the first couple of weeks, and eye redness that can last up to a couple of months.

As with LASIK recovery, if you plan for your recovery and keep in contact with your doctor you will have a much easier time. You will be given steroid eye drops and medication to mitigate pain if necessary. Use your eye drops and avoid rubbing your eyes. You can return to most of your normal activities such as driving and working within the first few days. However, full recovery can take a couple of months.

Risks and Prevention

Infections and complications during healing are rare. The biggest risk in pterygium surgery, either during the surgery or the recovery period, is the potential regrowth of the pterygium itself. Although the use of the autograft on the conjunctiva greatly reduces the chances of pterygia regrowth, there is still a small chance that the tissue will regrow. 

To protect your eyes against the regrowth of pterygium you should:

• Wear sunglasses when outside to protect your eyes from UV damage.
• Use artificial tears to combat dry eyes.
• Wear protective goggles in particularly windy and dusty environments.

Prevention is important, yes. But the best way to protect yourself against the inherent potential risk of any surgery is to hire the best people. At Eye Center of Texas, Texas’ leaders in eye care, we have experts with proven track records in performing pterygium surgery safely and successfully. Your path to recovery could start now, with an Ophthalmologist in Houston that you can trust.  

Common Questions About Pterygium Surgery

Can pterygium be removed without surgery? 

Pterygium cannot be removed without surgery. However, not all cases require surgery. Pterygium often presents no symptoms if they have yet to interfere with the cornea or pupil. Once the conjunctival tissue covers your cornea and begins negatively impacting your vision, surgery is usually required.

What is the difference between pterygium and pinguecula? 

Pinguecula, much like pterygium, is yellowish bumps or patches on the white of the eye that can cause irritation and redness. Pinguecula, however, does not grow across the cornea and is usually not harmful to your vision.

How much does pterygium surgery cost? 

Pterygium surgery is generally covered by Medicare or insurance unless the procedure is being done for cosmetic purposes (i.e. if the growth is smaller and doesn’t require surgery.) Though cost should never be a determining factor when it comes to the health of your eyes and vision. We can help find a solution that works for your financial needs.

Eye Center of Texas offers pterygium surgery in Houston

The surgeons at Eye Center of Texas are world-class and we work hard to stay on top of technological and surgical technique advancements. This allows us to personalize a procedure that will be the right fit for your unique needs.

Think you may be a candidate for pterygium surgery in Houston? Schedule an appointment to make cloudy vision a thing of the past. 

More Helpful Articles by Eye Center of Texas:

• Who is a Candidate for Corneal Transplant?
• Cornea Transplant Recovery in Houston: A Guide
• What Causes Eye Flashes and Floaters?
• Laser Treatment for Eye Floaters Relief
• Can You Reverse Presbyopia?

Patients who are considering corrective laser surgery, particularly PRK surgery, should familiarize themselves with some do’s and don’ts after PRK surgery to encourage a speedy and painless recovery.

Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) is an outpatient laser procedure that usually only takes about fifteen minutes and produces 20/40 vision in 95% of those who elect to get it. If you are thinking about taking the next step in making poor vision an ailment of the past, keep reading to get an idea of what to expect during and after PRK surgery.  

What to expect during PRK surgery

Is PRK eye surgery safe? The actual procedure is quite short, usually finishing up in just under 15 minutes. We understand that the experience can be nerve-wracking, so we offer an oral sedative for your comfort if you feel you could use it. 

Your ophthalmologist will administer numbing drops in your eyes to reduce discomfort and work on one eye at a time, gently removing the top layer of your cornea (epithelium) and reshaping its irregularities with ultraviolet light. This beam is only used on the surface of your cornea and does not interfere with the corneal flap in the same way that LASIK does, it does however make the healing process a bit longer because the epithelium needs to regrow instead of just being reattached. 

Continue reading: PRK vs LASIK recovery time

When the procedure is finished the surgeon will place a soft bandage contact lens on your eye, which both protects it and encourages healing of your cornea. You will be given eye drops (which you should use early and often over the following weeks) and consummate instructions before being driven home to rest.

The Don’ts: What can you not do after PRK surgery? 

What you can do is rarely as important as what you cannot do when recovering from surgery. You probably have some questions like “Can you go outside after PRK surgery?” or “How soon can I drive after PRK surgery?” Here is a list of a few don’ts that will complicate recovery:

• Do not under any circumstances rub or touch your eyes: It can displace the bandage contact lens and land you back in the office for a replacement.
• Do not exercise or physically exert yourself: Perspiration can irritate and dry your already irritated and dry eyes.
• Do not drive until your doctor tells you it is safe to do so.
• Do not swim. This means no pools, no hot tubs, and no steam rooms. You may shower starting the day after your procedure but keep those eyes shut to make sure soap and water get nowhere near your eyes.
• Avoid dust, dirt, and smoke.
• Avoid eye makeup and skin creams around the eyes for a week after surgery.
• Avoid bright lights.

The Dos: Recovery tips for PRK surgery

The best way to ensure a comfortable recovery is to lay the groundwork. Inform your boss that you might need a couple of days off of work to ensure you are fully recovered before returning. It can take a few days for your vision to begin to clear up but if you are patient with your eyes and communicative with your doctor, you will have nothing to worry about. Here is some more practical advice:

• Follow up with your doctor: You can expect vision changes in the positive and negative as your eyes heal. It is normal for your eyes to feel dry for a few weeks following the procedure.
• Use your eye drops!
• Wear eye shields at night following the procedure.
• You may return to work once the bandage contact lens has been removed. If the bandage contact comes out do not attempt to put it back in and call your doctor.
• You will experience increased sensitivity to bright lights. Wear sunglasses, even during the day and indoors, for the first few days following the procedure.
• Consult your doctor before and after your procedure about meds to help with possible discomfort.
• Be aware of the PRK side effects so that you know when (and more importantly) when not to be alarmed. Things like dry eyes and blurry vision should not worry you.

Considering PRK surgery? The experts at Eye Center of Texas are here to help.

Our team at Eye Center of Texas has been working to give patients the eyesight that they deserve for years. With the help of surgeons like cornea specialist  Dr. Yasir Ahmed, we are able to put the best minds and the most advanced techniques to work in service of your vision.

Now that you know your do’s and don’ts after PRK surgery contact us to see if you would be a candidate for PRK or LASIK, or visit PRK surgery Houston for more information on the procedure.

More Helpful Articles by Eye Center of Texas:

• Who is a Candidate for Corneal Transplant?
• Cornea Transplant in Houston: A Guide
• What Causes Floaters and Flashes in Eyes?
• Laser Treatment for Floaters: YAG Laser Vitreolysis
• Presbyopia Treatment Options in Houston

Have you ever had a friend or family member talk about LASIK and wondered if LASIK Eye Surgery Sugar Land is right for you? What are the benefits? The risks? Where can you find someone you trust to take care of something as important as your eyes? Rest assured, the experts at Eye Center of Texas are here to answer your questions in this comprehensive guide to LASIK Eye Surgery in Sugar Land, TX. 

What is LASIK eye surgery?

LASIK eye surgery is a short, 30-minute procedure that uses laser refractive surgery to correct astigmatism, nearsightedness, and farsightedness. For the day of your procedure, you should have someone drive you to and from the doctor’s office and avoid wearing any makeup or other cosmetics. 

As for the surgery itself, your doctor will numb your eyes with drops to prevent any pain. Then your doctor will make an incision in your cornea to pull back a thin flap. Once a corneal flap has been made, another laser is used to reshape the tissue beneath according to your condition. 

After that, the flap is put back in place and that’s it! Although you will likely be able to see clearly in a few short hours, your total LASIK recovery time may take anywhere from three to six months.

The most asked question we get about LASIK is, is LASIK safe? The procedure has a 96% success rate and is concerned safe and effective for most patients. If patients do complain about any symptoms post-surgery, complaints can include:

• Dry Eye That Lasts for More than a few Days
• Eye Pain
• Glare or Halo Problems
• Periodic Blurry Vision
• Problems with the Flap
• Reduced Night Vision

If you notice any of these symptoms after your procedure, please contact your surgeon immediately.

Continue reading: Lasik For Astigmatism Correction

How long does LASIK last?

One common question about LASIK eye surgery is whether it is permanent and the answer is a little complicated: yes… for the most part. The procedure permanently changes the shape of your cornea and for most patients, this improves their vision. It is possible for your prescription to regress slightly, but it will most likely remain much improved from your prescription pre-surgery. Some patients may wish for further correction through an additional LASIK procedure many years down the line, but this is not a common experience.

One thing LASIK can’t prevent, however, is the natural aging process of the eye. Cataracts are a common condition in aging eyes that can negatively affect your vision and may require correction. Presbyopia is another condition associated with aging that leads many people to require reading glasses, regardless of their history of vision correction.

Is LASIK Eye Surgery right for me?

Lasik eye surgery is great for anyone with moderate vision loss and no unusual vision problems who are tired of wearing contact lenses or glasses.

If you’ve ever encountered these issues with your corrective devices, then you might want to consider LASIK:

Glasses

• Glare off of monitors
• Losing track of where your glasses are
• Improper fit (pinching tightly or falling off your face)
• Fogged lenses

Contacts

• Difficulty putting them in
• Irritation or tearing
• Eye infection
• Expense   

There are other considerations you should make when deciding on LASIK, such as the cost of LASIK eye surgery. So, is LASIK covered by insurance? Because it is an elective surgery, the LASIK eye surgery cost is generally not covered by insurance and you will likely have to pay out of pocket.

What can disqualify you from LASIK?

If you are or have one of the following conditions, LASIK may not be the right corrective procedure for you:

• Unstable vision for at least a year
• A significant health risk or condition, especially involving your eyes
• Autoimmune diseases or disorders such as HIV/AIDS, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes
• Eye scarring
• Thin cornea
• Extremely dry eyes
• Pregnant or breast-feeding
• Under 18 years of age

Even if you don’t make a great candidate for LASIK, there may be other options to help improve your vision.

Are there alternatives to LASIK?

Besides the standard corrective measures such as glasses and contact lenses, PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) is another popular surgical alternative to LASIK. What is PRK eye surgery? PRK is a laser refractive surgery that has many similarities to LASIK. 

As discussed, the LASIK procedure involves creating a corneal flap under which the doctor reshapes your eye tissue, whereas your entire outer corneal layer is removed with PRK. While that may sound scary, the success rate of the two procedures is very comparable. However, PRK usually requires a longer recovery time since the outer layer needs time to regenerate.

PRK eye surgery is recommended for those who have especially dry eyes or thin corneas. Be sure to consult with your doctor on which option is best suited to your eyes.

Trust Eye Center of Texas with your LASIK Eye Surgery in Sugar Land

If you’ve always wanted to wake up in the morning and see your alarm clock clearly or finally shed your cumbersome glasses or uncomfortable contact lenses, LASIK just might be the right choice for you. 

Eye Center of Texas has multiple locations, including one conveniently located in Sugar Land, staffed with the best medical professionals to help you today. Contact us to get started on your path to clear vision.  

More Helpful Articles by Eye Center of Texas:

• Why Would Someone Need a Cornea Transplant?
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• What Causes Eye Floaters and Flashes?
• Laser Floaters Treatment: YAG Laser Vitreolysis
• Can You Reverse Presbyopia?

If you struggle with poor eyesight and are looking for ways to correct it without the use of contact lenses or glasses, you may find yourself wondering “what is PRK eye surgery?”

Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) is an outpatient laser eye surgery that focuses on reshaping the cornea to treat astigmatism, nearsightedness, and farsightedness. The entire procedure takes up to 15 minutes and will likely have you back on your feet in just a couple of days.

You don’t have to live with poor eyesight. See how PRK eye surgery can permanently improve your vision and how it compares to LASIK.

What to expect during PRK laser eye surgery

PRK treats refractive errors in your eyes using a laser to reshape parts of your cornea. This process adjusts the way light is bounced into your retina, improving your eyesight.  

Before going into surgery

In your appointments leading up to your PRK surgery, you and your eye surgeon should review the risks, benefits, and costs. He or she will test and examine your vision to determine whether PRK eye surgery is right for you.

Immediately before the eye surgery, you will receive numbing drops in your eyes and an oral sedative if necessary.

During PRK surgery

The surgery itself won’t last longer than 10 to 15 minutes. During the procedure, your eye surgeon will gently remove the top layer of your cornea to expose the part of your eye that needs to be reshaped. This removed outer layer will grow back on its own while you are healing. The laser in PRK, which delivers a pulsing beam of ultraviolet light, is used on the surface of the cornea, not underneath the corneal flap like in LASIK.

Recovery after surgery

You won’t be able to drive for up to a week after the surgery so be sure you have a trusted ride home. There may be some pain or discomfort for the first 24 to 36 hours so you’ll need to ensure that you can get adequate rest, avoid physical activity, and avoid any products that could cause irritation or infection to your eye.

So, how long does it take to recover from PRK eye surgery? 

The initial recovery can take a couple of days and may require some pain medication for a day or two. Your doctor will place an eye bandage similar to a contact lens over your eyes while the top layer of your cornea regenerates. There may be some light sensitivity or blurred vision in those first couple of days but your vision should stabilize after the initial recovery.

Full recovery will take about a month but you’ll be back to normal once the eye bandage is removed a few days post-surgery.

PRK surgery side effects

There are a few expected PRK surgery side effects to keep in mind during the first couple days of the healing process including:

• Mild to moderate discomfort or itching
• Light sensitivity
• Seeing halos of light for the first few weeks
• Cloudy or hazy vision

If you notice any unusual symptoms or the above side effects persist, call your ophthalmologist immediately.

PRK vs. LASIK

Chances are if you’re wondering “what is PRK eye surgery?”, you are also curious about LASIK and the differences between the two.

Both laser eye surgeries utilize the same corrective portions when reshaping the cornea with slight variances in how the doctor accesses the cornea. As mentioned, with LASIK, the surgeon will access the surface of your cornea by creating a corneal flap. Whereas during a PRK procedure, the top layer of your cornea, or the epithelium, is removed to allow access to the irregularities needing to be corrected.

Another big difference between the two procedures is their recovery time. Since the hinged flap can simply be realigned after the procedure, your vision will likely be functional immediately after your LASIK procedure. 

Wondering why to choose PRK over LASIK? Your ophthalmologist might suggest PRK eye surgery over LASIK if you have certain structural variances, like a thin cornea or dry eyes, that make LASIK unsafe. Your doctor might also suggest you receive PRK after LASIK if you did not receive the desired outcomes.

FAQs

Is PRK worse than LASIK?

One eye surgery isn’t worse than the other. They are both fairly low-risk, dependable procedures with good outcomes. PRK does take a bit longer, has a slightly longer recovery time, and may cause some discomfort following the procedure. But there is less of a risk for dry eyes and/or your corneal thickness to be affected if you already have thin corneas.

Continue reading: Am I a good candidate for LASIK surgery?

Does PRK or LASIK last longer?

The PRK surgery takes a bit longer than LASIK due to the fact that it often requires two lasers — one to remove the epithelium and one to correct the cornea. The entire process is typically done in less than 15 minutes.

How long after PRK can you wear contacts?

Can you wear contacts after PRK? Yes, but you shouldn’t need to. PRK is a refractive surgery that helps correct vision loss. Should you need to wear contacts after the procedure, opt for soft contact lenses as rigid contact lenses may not fit correctly after surgery.

If you are interested in wearing soft lenses or decorative contacts, wait at least six months.

Learn more about PRK eye surgery from a specialist at Eye Center of Texas

Now that you have a better understanding of the answer to the question, “what is PRK eye surgery?” you may be interested in learning whether you’re a candidate for PRK surgery in Houston.

Eye Center of Texas offers years of experience offering the most advanced refractive surgical techniques in Houston including PRK and LASIK. With cornea specialist and surgeon, Dr. Yasir Ahmed, you can rest assured that your vision is in the best hands.

If you’re looking for a permanent solution to vision loss or astigmatism, contact us today to schedule a consultation.

More Helpful Articles by Eye Center of Texas:

• What Causes Floaters and Flashes in Eyes?
• Laser Treatment for Floaters: YAG Laser Vitreolysis
• Presbyopia Treatment Options in Houston 
• Can Presbyopia be Corrected with LASIK?
• What Causes Presbyopia?

If you’ve been considering laser eye surgery, PRK might be on your radar, and may find yourself wondering, is PRK eye surgery safe?

Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) is a type of laser eye surgery used to treat vision loss or astigmatism. What is the PRK success rate? According to the FDA, about 95% of PRK patients achieve 20/40 vision without the need for corrective lenses or glasses one year post-surgery. As with any medical procedure, there are risks, but PRK eye surgery is generally a very safe and predictable procedure with great outcomes.

With PRK, poor vision can be an ailment of the past. In this article, we’ll cover what you can expect during and after PRK eye surgery.

What happens during PRK eye surgery?

The PRK procedure itself is fairly short, lasting only around 15 minutes long. Your ophthalmologist will use numbing drops in your eyes before the procedure and offer an oral sedative if you feel you need it. 

Then they will gently remove the top layer of the cornea, or the epithelium, and reshape the irregularities with a pulsing beam of ultraviolet light. The outer layer that was removed will regenerate while you’re healing. To help it along, your doctor will place a protective bandage over your eye. This eye bandage will be removed a few days after your procedure.

Recovery: the do’s and don’ts after PRK surgery

Recovery for PRK is a little longer than LASIK due to the nature of the surgery. In LASIK, the corneal flap can simply be realigned after the procedure. But in PRK, the outer layer that was scraped away needs time to grow back.

You may experience some slight discomfort and pain immediately after the surgery and for the first 24 to 36 hours after. It’s best to take off work for the first couple of days and avoid driving yourself home from the surgery. 90% recovery can take up to a month but you’ll be back to your normal activities a few days post-surgery.

Here are some other tips for the week following your PRK procedure:

• Do not rub or touch your eyes
• Avoid wearing eye makeup
• Avoid swimming, hot tubs, and dry or dusty environments
• You may shower, but do your best to avoid getting water in your eyes
• Do not drive until you receive your doctor’s approval
• Use post-operative drops as often as needed
• Wear your eye shields at night
• Use sunglasses for at least the first three days

If you have any questions or concerns about the recovery process, please contact your doctor.

The side effects of PRK

Some typical PRK surgery side effects to keep an eye out for in the first week of recovery include:

• Mild to moderate discomfort or itching
• Light sensitivity
• Seeing bursts or halos of light for the first few weeks
• Cloudy or hazy vision (corneal haze)

If you notice any unusual symptoms such as pus, swelling, and/or fever, or the above side effects persist, call your ophthalmologist immediately.

What are the long-term effects of PRK?

Is PRK safe long term? Generally speaking, PRK is a safe laser eye surgery with high rates of success. That said, although they are rare, there is always a chance for long-term risks. The main long-term risks of PRK include the loss of vision that cannot be corrected, double vision, severe eye damage, and night vision issues like seeing glares or halos at night.

What’s the difference between PRK vs. LASIK?

The biggest difference between LASIK and PRK is the procedure process itself and the recovery time. The cornea is reached by removing the outer layer in PRK, but in LASIK the doctor reaches the cornea through a corneal flap. This difference in technique accounts for a longer healing time for PRK patients. Waiting a few extra days for your PRK recovery can lead to year after year of clear vision and a vastly improved quality of life.

Continue reading: Is LASIK safe?

Wondering if you’re a good candidate for PRK? Learn more at Eye Center of Texas.

So, is PRK eye surgery safe? For most patients, PRK surgery in Houston is a perfectly safe laser eye surgery. It’s a great option for individuals who have certain structural variances, like a thin cornea or dry eyes, that make LASIK unsafe.

Wondering you could be a good candidate for PRK? Head into Eye Center of Texas! We have years of experience offering the most advanced refractive surgical techniques in Houston including PRK and LASIK. With cornea specialist and surgeon, Dr. Yasir Ahmed, you can rest assured that your vision is in the best hands. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.

More Helpful Articles by Eye Center of Texas:

• What Causes Floaters and Flashes in Eyes?
• Laser Treatment for Floaters: YAG Laser Vitreolysis
• Presbyopia Treatment Options in Houston 
• Can Presbyopia be Corrected with LASIK?
• What Causes Presbyopia?

Who is a candidate for corneal transplant? While corneal transplant surgery isn’t the right option for everybody, it is one of the most common and successful forms of transplant surgeries. If you’re looking to restore your vision after corneal disease or a traumatic injury, you may be a good candidate. The experts at Eye Center of Texas are here to walk you through the techniques and risks of a corneal transplant in Houston.

Why would someone need a cornea transplant?

A corneal transplant replaces the diseased or scarred part of your cornea with healthy tissue from a donor. It is generally recommended for someone who has a corneal disease that cannot be treated with a less-invasive treatment — like glasses or medication — or for someone whose cornea has suffered irreversible damage.

If you have or had any of the following conditions, you may qualify for a transplant:

• Scarring from infection (eye herpes or fungal keratitis)
• Scarring from eyelashes rubbing against the cornea (trichiasis)
• Inherited eye diseases (Fuchs’ dystrophy)
• Corneal ulcers or “sores”
• Corneal abrasion
• Corneal rejection from first surgery
• Advanced keratoconus
• Rare complications from LASIK surgery
• Chemical burns of the cornea
• Excessive corneal swelling
• Organ rejection from previous corneal transplant
• Cataract surgical complications

Keep reading: Cornea damage symptoms

Common Corneal Transplant Surgical Techniques

Full Thickness Corneal Transplant

In a full thickness corneal transplant, also known as a penetrating keratoplasty (PK), the surgeon will replace all of the layers of the cornea with tissue from a donor. The procedure only takes 30 to 60 minutes to perform. But since it is the most invasive, as you are replacing the entire cornea, the healing time for this procedure is longer. A full thickness corneal transplant can take up to one year to achieve full vision.

Partial Thickness Corneal Transplant (DSEK, DMEK, DALK)

Partial thickness corneal transplant surgery is exactly as it sounds. The surgeon will only replace certain layers of your cornea tissue depending on where the damaged tissue is. You’ll be able to return to low-impact activities about 1-2 weeks after surgery but your vision might still be blurry.

Back Layer Corneal Transplant

This is also referred to as an endothelial keratoplasty (EK) and is a procedure done to remove and replace unhealthy tissue from the back layer of the cornea. Full recovery for a back layer corneal transplant is about 4-6 months.

What is the success rate of a corneal transplant?

As mentioned, corneal transplant surgery is one of the most successful of all tissue transplants in America with the success rate landing at 90% in the first year. Corneal transplants can last around 10 years before needing to be replaced but may fail earlier. If the graft does fail, a corneal transplant can be repeated. For a majority of patients, vision after corneal transplant will improve after a year of healing and repeated transplants tend to yield good results.

If you are still struggling with acute vision loss after your cornea transplant has fully healed, you may be a good PRK or LASIK eye surgery candidate.

What are the risks of a cornea transplant?

Although this is a relatively safe and effective surgery, as with any surgery, there are still risks. Your ophthalmologist will walk you through which surgical technique they believe to be the best fit for your case as well as the risks and what to expect during recovery. You can lessen your risk and recovery time by following your doctor’s recommendations, avoid rubbing your eyes, and refrain from high-impact activities that could damage your cornea, including swimming.

The risks of a cornea transplant include:

• Infection
• Cataracts
• Bleeding in the eye
• Prolonged or problematic healing
• Anesthesia complications
• Refractive errors requiring glasses
• General surgical complications
• Organ tissue rejection
• Eye problems such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, detached retina, and astigmatism

Signs of organ rejection

Rejection of the donated cornea occurs when the immune system recognizes the donated tissue as foreign and begins to destroy it. It only occurs in about 18-21% of patients and your risk depends on several factors. One of which being whether you comply with your medication protocol following the transplant.

Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following symptoms, even one as small as “my cornea is red,” immediately. If addressed quickly, you may be able to reverse the rejection and save the transplanted cornea.

• Eye pain
• Sensitivity to light
• Red eyes
• Cloudy or hazy vision
• Infection
• Bleeding

Corneal transplant surgery at Eye Center of Texas

If you’ve decided to inquire about it after learning who is a candidate for corneal transplant and are looking for ophthalmologists in Houston, trust Eye Center of Texas. We have the best corneal transplant surgeons and are recommended by more than 300 Houston eye doctors including Dr. Yasir Ahmed who specializes in cornea surgeries. Our sub-specialty trained surgeons stay on the cutting edge of surgical and clinical procedures including corneal transplants. 

To learn more about whether corneal transplant surgery is right for you, contact us today at 713-797-1010 or request an appointment online.

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• What Causes Presbyopia?
• The Top Benefits of Femtosecond Laser Cataract Surgery
• Expectations: Your Vision After Getting Cataract Surgery in One Eye
• Your Guide on What to Expect After LASIK
• What Causes Macular Degeneration?

If you have suffered from an eye disease or have scarred corneal tissue, you may be a good candidate for a cornea transplant in Houston.

The cornea is the outermost layer of your eye. It is responsible for filtering light and accounts for 65-75% of your eye’s focusing power. Like any other part of the body, the cornea is susceptible to inflammation (called keratitis), infections, degenerations, inherited diseases like ​​Fuchs’ dystrophy, and trauma. Depending on the severity, the damaged tissue can be replaced with either a full thickness corneal transplant (penetrating keratoplasty), partial thickness corneal transplant, or a back layer corneal transplant (endothelial keratoplasty, or EK).

Eye Center of Texas cornea subspecialty trained surgeons can help improve your vision with cornea surgery. We are recommended by more than 300 Houston eye doctors and stay on the cutting-edge of surgical advancements so that you can be sure you’re always getting the most up-to-date care.

Who is a good candidate for corneal transplant?

You might be wondering who is a good candidate for corneal transplant. A cornea transplant is an option for anyone with a damaged cornea accompanied by vision impairment that cannot be corrected by glasses or contact lenses. The following conditions put you at risk for cornea failure and may require a cornea transplant to relieve the symptoms:

• Scarring from infection (eye herpes or fungal keratitis)
• Scarring from eyelashes rubbing against the cornea (trichiasis)
• Inherited eye diseases (Fuchs’ dystrophy)
• Corneal ulcers or “sores”
• Corneal abrasion symptoms
• Advanced keratoconus
• Rare complications from LASIK surgery
• Chemical burns of the cornea
• Excessive corneal swelling
• Organ rejection from previous corneal transplant
• Cataract surgical complications

Continue reading: what to do for corneal abrasion.

Common Types of Corneal Transplant Surgery Options

Full Thickness Corneal Transplant

A penetrating keratoplasty (PK) replaces all of the layers of your cornea. Your ophthalmologist may suggest this procedure if you have suffered a severe cornea injury, bulging, and/or scarring.

Partial Thickness Corneal Transplant

Also known as a deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK), during a partial thickness cornea transplant, the surgeon replaces only the outer and middle layers of your cornea. This is a better option for individuals whose scarring does not reach the inner layers. Since the procedure doesn’t open up your eye, the healing time and chance for infection or eye damage decreases.

Endothelial Keratoplasty (EK)

Doctors usually opt for a back layer corneal transplant if the patient suffers from Fuchs’ dystrophy or other medical conditions. There are two types of endothelial keratoplasty: Descemet’s stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK) and Descemet’s membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK). An EK is for patients with damage only to the inner layer.

Recovery After a Corneal Transplant

The recovery time for a cornea transplant will depend on what type of transplant you have. PKs take the longest to recover since they require a full transplant. You will generally get to enjoy the final results after 18 months. DALKs require less recovery time than PKs. And EKs can sometimes heal between a few weeks and a couple of months.

You can speed up recovery time by taking good care of your eyes and avoiding activities that could scratch or damage your corneas including contact sports and rubbing your eyes.

Cornea Transplant Risk and Rejection

Although it’s only an issue in about 18-21% of cornea transplants, as with any transplant surgeries, there is a possibility for organ rejection. This happens when your immune system believes that the new tissue is a foreign body and tries to destroy it. Keep watch for the following symptoms that your body is rejecting the donor tissue:

• Eye pain
• Sensitivity to light
• Red eyes
• Cloudy or hazy vision
• Infection
• Bleeding

If you notice any of these symptoms, even one as seemingly small as noticing that my cornea is red, call Eye Center of Texas immediately. Your ophthalmologist may be able to use medication to stop your body from rejecting the transplanted cornea.

Other risks include infection and various eye problems such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, detached retina, and astigmatism.

Commonly asked questions

What is the success rate of a cornea transplant?

The success rate of a cornea transplant in favorable patients is as high as 90% in the first year. The three most common causes for graft failure include organ rejection, infection, and glaucoma.

Technology is improving everyday and with that, newer techniques are coming out that result in better visual outcomes, lower rates of organ rejection, and faster healing time. Our team of surgeons at Eye Center of Texas stay up-to-date on all micro-surgical procedure advancements so that we are always offering you the safest, most advanced surgical techniques.

How long does a corneal transplant last?

A corneal transplant can last up to 10 years without complications. If the graft does fail or you do start to experience some complications, corneal transplant surgery can be repeated.

How much is a cornea transplant in Texas?

Cost should never be a barrier to getting you the eye care you need. Speak with our doctors and staff to find a solution that works for your financial needs.

Trust Eye Center of Texas with your cornea transplant in Houston.

When it comes to choosing a surgeon for your cornea transplant in Houston, who you pick matters. Eye Center of Texas is a results-driven team of Texas eye specialists made up of some of the best-trained surgeons in Houston. Our doctors have years of experience providing the highest level of care for cornea transplant patients including Dr. Yasir Ahmed who is a top cornea specialist in our region.

Contact us today at 713-797-1010 or request an appointment online for the best cornea transplant Houston has to offer.

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• Ophthalmologists in Houston You Can Trust
• Expectations: Your Vision After Getting Cataract Surgery in One Eye
• Your Guide on What to Expect After LASIK

What causes floaters and flashes in eyes? You might have experienced black spots or flashes that quickly disappear from your vision. Perhaps they have been persisting for a long time and are beginning to interfere with daily life. If you have been concerned about this, have no fear, Eye Center of Texas is here to help with eye floaters and flashes.

Do floaters and flashes go away?

Normally, eye floaters and flashes go away on their own. Microscopic fibers in your vitreous, or jelly-like material in your eye can cast shadows on your retina and lead you to see flashes, black spots, or other visual phenomena. As we age, however, it is normal and natural for this gel to start to thicken or shrink, which creates clumps or strands. Eventually, the vitreous gel starts to separate from the retina. This condition is known as Posterior Vitreous Detachment or PVD. As a result, we tend to see many more eye floaters and flashes as we get older. Because it’s a normal phenomenon, we can never truly get rid of them completely. However, they can be reduced in severity, if it impacts your day-to-day activities. 

What happens when eye floaters won’t go away? If this happens, you might wish to seek treatment to greatly reduce the occurrence of eye floaters and flashes. Eye Center of Texas provides YAG (yttrium-aluminum-garnet) laser vitreolysis that uses a powerful laser to eliminate floaters in a safe and painless procedure. 

Floaters might be one of the side effects after cataract surgery. It’s not that they suddenly appeared, they are just easier to see with the clearer vision you now have after cataract surgery.

Are floaters and flashes serious? 

Floaters and flashes are not usually serious. However, if they are severe enough, they can seriously affect your quality of life or even put you at risk. It might make watching television, reading a book, or working at your computer a difficult or frustrating experience. If you are driving on the road or working heavy machinery, they can potentially distract you,  putting others’ lives at risk, not to mention your own. 

There are more rare complications from posterior vitreous detachment that can lead to serious medical injury. When posterior vitreous detachment causes scar tissue to form on the surface of the retina, this can result in macular pucker, also known as a retinal pucker, which can distort your vision even further. If you suddenly have a sudden burst of eye floaters and flashes, this can indicate retinal tears or even retinal detachment. Posterior vitreous detachment can sometimes pull too strongly on the surface of the retina, causing holes or tears. If this happens, you should seek medical treatment immediately, as this can lead to a severe loss of vision.

Eye floaters and flashes can also be indicative of severe diabetic retinopathy, a diabetic eye disease that can lead to blindness. This condition is a result of an excess of glucose in the blood vessels of the retina. As it cannot be reversed, it is crucial that you identify it as soon as possible. If you have diabetes and are experiencing eye floaters and flashes, you should regularly seek consultation from one of our experts at Eye Center of Texas.

What can I do about eye floaters and flashes?

If eye floaters and flashes are plaguing you on a day-to-day basis, or you’ve experienced an alarming uptick in their frequency, you might wish to seek medical treatment. Luckily the Eye Center of Texas team is here to help. With a cutting-edge eye floaters treatment like YAG laser vitreolysis, our retina specialists carefully remove the clumps or strands in your vitreous in a safe, painless, and prompt procedure.  

We here at Eye Center of Texas are experts on laser treatment for floaters.

Now that you have more information on what causes floaters and flashes in eyes, the retina specialists at Eye Center of Texas are here to help you with any questions and floater treatment options you may need. We have years of experience treating eye diseases and vision issues with only the safest, most advanced surgical techniques and technology. 

Give us a call at 713-797-1010 or request an appointment online at any of our convenient locations today.

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• What Causes Presbyopia? 
• Femtosecond Laser Cataract Surgery
• Find an Ophthalmologist in Houston You Can Trust
• Cataract Surgery in One Eye: Everything You Need to Know
• What to Expect After LASIK

If you’ve been seeing more dark shapes or cobwebs in your vision, it might be time to consider laser treatment for floaters. Floaters are normal, but if you notice an increase in their occurrence, or if they are beginning to interfere with your daily life, you should contact a retina specialist immediately. You don’t have to put up with floaters forever –– laser vitreolysis doctors at Eye Center of Texas can help. See how this new treatment for eye floaters can provide relief.

What are floaters?

Floaters are caused by microscopic fibers in your vitreous, the jelly-like material that fills the space between the lens and the retina in your eye. Collagen, an important protein that makes up part of the vitreous gel, is usually the primary culprit of floaters. These cast shadows on your retina and lead you to see dark spots, specks, clouds or other visual anomalies. 

Why am I seeing more floaters now?

As we get older, the sac in our eye that contains vitreous gel begins to separate from the rear eyewall causing clumps of collagen to break up or clump together to create more floaters. This condition, known as macular pucker, can lead to a serious impact on our quality of vision, making even normal tasks like reading or watching television difficult. While this can sound trivial, it also poses a risk while driving as floaters can lead to dangerous distractions on the road.

An increase in floaters might also point to a more serious eye problem. It might be a symptom of severe diabetic retinopathy, an excess of glucose in the blood vessels of the retina. Vitreous detachment can lead to retinal tearing or even retinal detachment. So if you are seeing a large amount of floaters in one or both eyes, seek medical treatment immediately. 

Is there a treatment for eye floaters? 

Thanks to rapid advances in medical laser technology in the recent decades, what once would have required invasive surgery can now be treated quickly and with only minimal discomfort and side effects. Laser treatment for floaters, or YAG (yttrium-aluminum-garnet) laser vitreolysis is a procedure in which a laser targets floaters with pinpoint accuracy. These clumps are then broken up or dissolved by the laser. This new treatment for eye floaters now provides immediate relief from floaters without the risks associated with surgery.

What is the YAG laser vitreolysis procedure like?

Laser treatment for floaters is done in a short 10 to 15 minute procedure. Beforehand, our retina specialists may need to perform an OCT (ocular computerized tomography) to identify the location and size of the floaters in your eye using an infrared scan.  Numbing eye drops or local anesthetic will ensure you feel minimal discomfort. A special device is used to ensure that your eye stays open and a magnification lens will focus and target on the floater or floaters. The YAG laser will focus on the floater(s) and vaporize them into a gas that is reabsorbed by the eye. In the event that the floater is particularly large or located near an important structure in the eye, you may need to schedule more than one visit. 

After the procedure, you will need to come in for follow up checks to ensure the procedure was successful. You should experience relief from floaters within 30 minutes. There might be some discomfort initially, but it should go away quickly. You should avoid driving for a day or two after the procedure and be very careful around your eyes. If possible, you might want to take a couple days off work afterwards. Be sure to attend your follow-up consultations and take any medications or eye drops as prescribed.

Is laser treatment for floaters safe?

While YAG laser vitreolysis is very safe, like any medical procedure, it is not without risks. These include increased intraocular pressure resulting in glaucoma, inducement of cataract following surgery, retinal tear, retinal detachment, retinal hemorrhage, and increased quantity of floaters. But it is important to note that these are extremely rare. According to a comprehensive study of all YAG laser vitreolysis procedures between September 19, 2016 and March 16, 2017, only 15 patients reported any complications related to the procedure. 

As with any medical procedure, speak with your doctor if you have any concerns concerning YAG laser vitreolysis.

Am I a good candidate for laser treatment?

If you are experiencing floaters that impact your daily tasks like reading or driving, or last for more than four months, you might want to consider laser treatment. However, it is important that you do not have more serious eye problems such as retinal tears or detachments, cataracts, or clouding of the cornea or lens. You can still have laser treatment for floaters if you have had cataract surgery. 

Learn more about  laser treatment for floaters from a specialist at Eye Center of Texas

Now that you have more information on laser treatment for floaters, the retina specialists at Eye Center of Texas are here to help you with any questions and floater treatment options you may need. We have years of experience treating eye diseases and vision issues with only the safest, most advanced surgical techniques and technology.

Give us a call at 713-797-1010 or request an appointment online at any of our convenient locations today.

More Helpful Articles by Eye Center of Texas: 

• What Causes Presbyopia? 
• Femtosecond Laser Cataract Surgery
• Find an Ophthalmologist in Houston You Can Trust
• Cataract Surgery in One Eye: Everything You Need to Know
• What to Expect After LASIK