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New Cornea Without Transplantation
How is the lens different from the spleen? How is the cornea different from the heart?
Transparency is one of the unique characteristics of the human eye that distinguishes it from other organs. Nowhere else in the body are solid tissues so perfectly clear.
The clear cornea stays clear because of the optically-pure way its bundles of collagen are organized. These highly structured collagen bundles transmit visible light. The cornea must be relatively dry in order for the cornea to remain clear and that is the job of a delicate layer of cells called endothelia - the cornea's pumping cells. There is a finite supply of these nonregenerative endothelia; once they're gone they're gone forever (as well as the pump!) There are many reasons why endothelial disappear. When it happens the cornea will begin to imbibe water and develop corneal edema.
Corneal transplantation replaces the swollen, worn-out cornea with a younger, robust cornea. This operation has been performed routinely for 60 years. Now there is an alternative - it's called DSAEK.
DSAEK stands for Descemet's Stripping and Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty. Instead of replacing the en
tire cornea the surgeon strips-away a delicate membrane along the backside of the cornea and replaces it with a new membrane loaded with active endothelial pumping cells. This same-day surgery can be performed with topical anesthesia and small incisions. Unlike corneal transplantation no stitching is required. This new approach greatly accelerates the postoperative recovery and reduces the potential for serious complications.
WebMD Daily has produced a very informative video about this innovative procedure. Click here to see an actual DSAEK procedure being performed.
For many patients standard corneal transplantation remains the recommended procedure to restore a clear visual pathway. For those needing a resupply of those critical pumping cells DSAEK may be a very effective alternative.
Related Topics: LASIK Surgery: Safer than Contacts?, Are You a Candidate for LASIK?
Technorati Tags: DSAEK, eye surgery, cornea transplant, video
Transparency is one of the unique characteristics of the human eye that distinguishes it from other organs. Nowhere else in the body are solid tissues so perfectly clear.
The clear cornea stays clear because of the optically-pure way its bundles of collagen are organized. These highly structured collagen bundles transmit visible light. The cornea must be relatively dry in order for the cornea to remain clear and that is the job of a delicate layer of cells called endothelia - the cornea's pumping cells. There is a finite supply of these nonregenerative endothelia; once they're gone they're gone forever (as well as the pump!) There are many reasons why endothelial disappear. When it happens the cornea will begin to imbibe water and develop corneal edema.
Corneal transplantation replaces the swollen, worn-out cornea with a younger, robust cornea. This operation has been performed routinely for 60 years. Now there is an alternative - it's called DSAEK.
DSAEK stands for Descemet's Stripping and Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty. Instead of replacing the en
tire cornea the surgeon strips-away a delicate membrane along the backside of the cornea and replaces it with a new membrane loaded with active endothelial pumping cells. This same-day surgery can be performed with topical anesthesia and small incisions. Unlike corneal transplantation no stitching is required. This new approach greatly accelerates the postoperative recovery and reduces the potential for serious complications.WebMD Daily has produced a very informative video about this innovative procedure. Click here to see an actual DSAEK procedure being performed.
For many patients standard corneal transplantation remains the recommended procedure to restore a clear visual pathway. For those needing a resupply of those critical pumping cells DSAEK may be a very effective alternative.
Related Topics: LASIK Surgery: Safer than Contacts?, Are You a Candidate for LASIK?
Technorati Tags: DSAEK, eye surgery, cornea transplant, video
