A Full-Thickness Corneal Transplant
Penetrating keratoplasty (PK) is a full-thickness corneal transplant procedure that aims to improve the vision when it is affected by significant conditions of the cornea and spectacles or contact lenses cannot improve the vision to a satisfactory level.
In PK the entire central portion of the abnormal cornea is replaced with a healthy donor cornea. This traditional approach is particularly effective when all layers of the cornea are affected and cannot be treated with partial-thickness, also known as lamellar, procedures.
Indications: When is Penetrating Keratoplasty needed?
The most common reasons for performing penetrating keratoplasty include:
- Corneal scarring: Deep scars from infections, trauma, or previous surgeries that involve all layers of the cornea.
- Advanced keratoconus with hydrops: Cases where the cornea has becomes severely thinned and stretched, leading to a break of the inner Descemet’s and endothelial layers.
- Severe chronic bullous keratopathy: When chronic swelling of the cornea has led to severe corneal scarring.
Corneal perforations: Due to trauma or disease, where urgent full-thickness reconstruction is required to restore the eye’s structure and function.