Evolving Techniques in Corneal Transplantation

Corneal transplantation is one of the most common types of human transplant surgery. By removing a scarred or damaged host cornea and replacing it with a clear and healthy donor transplant, this procedure helps to restore vision in a variety of corneal diseases. The traditional technique for corneal transplantation, penetrating keratoplasty (PKP), involves transplantation of all corneal layers. Over the past decade though, there has been a trend away from PKP as surgeons have developed partial thickness transplant procedures, such as deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty and Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty. These partial thickness transplant procedures selectively replace diseased host corneal tissue, while conserving healthy and functioning tissue. This review describes current surgical techniques in the field of corneal transplantation, with special emphasis on indications for transplantation and postoperative outcomes.