What is a Corneal Graft?
A corneal graft is the replacement of a diseased part of the cornea with other tissues. These can be portions of healthy cornea (fresh or frozen) or biological substrates (amniotic membrane, collagen matrix discs, etc.), among others. The graft is performed when there is a perforation of the eyeball, damage to the corneal tissue with a risk of perforation, or in certain painful diseases of the cornea.
In these situations, the objective of the graft is to preserve the eyeball and maintain the highest possible quality of vision.
Why Can the Cornea Perforate?
Corneal perforation is an absolute ophthalmological emergency as it seriously endangers vision and even the preservation of the eyeball. When it occurs, appropriate medical therapy must be instituted urgently, and in most cases, emergency surgery is required.
At IVeM, we frequently treat animals with corneal perforations, and the most common causes are:
Diagnostic Tests
The correct evaluation of an eye wound is essential to determine the condition of the cornea and the rest of the ocular structures. Only after establishing an accurate diagnosis of the eye's condition can the most appropriate treatment be considered. Some of the tests we use in these cases are: slit-lamp examination, ocular ultrasound, UBM (ultrasound biomicroscopy), or optical coherence tomography.
What Does Corneal Graft Surgery Involve?
Despite the severity of an ocular perforation, in many cases, the prognosis for visual recovery is good when action is taken quickly.
The surgery involves the removal of the damaged part of the cornea and its replacement with other tissue that is fixed to the rest of the cornea with a very fine suture. The surgery is performed under general anesthesia and with the aid of an operating microscope for the correct observation of the ocular structures.
Before Corneal Graft Surgery
Before the surgery, the eye must be prepared with the use of different eye drops and systemic medications to control inflammation and possible bacterial infection. The exact treatment regimen depends on each particular case and must be determined by the ophthalmologist specialist.
It is also important to perform pre-anesthetic tests (usually blood tests and chest X-rays) to establish the type of anesthesia appropriate for each patient.
The Post-Operative Period
During the weeks following the operation, your companion will wear an Elizabethan collar to prevent scratching or touching the sensitive area, thus minimizing trauma to the operated area and its exposure to pathogens that promote infection. In addition, different eye drops should be applied for a few weeks to ensure the correct healing of the eye.
Another common recommendation will be to avoid playing with other animals and intense physical exercise until the healing process is advanced.
Finally, the veterinarian will monitor the eye's progress to make adjustments to the medication and establish guidelines so that your companion is not in pain and to minimize their discomfort.
At IVeM, we are specialists in veterinary ophthalmology. If you have any questions, please contact us, and we will be happy to assist you.
