Corneal Transplant

A corneal transplant involves replacing a diseased or scarred cornea with a new one. When the cornea becomes cloudy, light cannot penetrate the eye to reach the light-sensitive retina. Poor vision or blindness may result.

During corneal transplant surgery, the surgeon removes the central portion of the cloudy cornea and replaces it with a clear cornea that has been thoroughly screened at an eye bank. A trephine, an instrument like a cookie cutter, is used to remove the cloudy cornea. The surgeon places the new cornea in the opening and sews it in place with suture, or surgical thread, which is often finer than a human hair. The patient does not feel anything during the procedure. Following surgery, eye drops to help promote healing will be needed for several months.

Corneal transplants are very common in the United States; about 40,000 are performed each year. The chances of success of this operation have risen dramatically because of technological advances. Corneal transplantation has restored sight to many, who a generation ago would have been blinded permanently by corneal injury, infection, or inherited corneal disease or degeneration.

Meet Dr. Conley

Ryan P. Conley, D.O. is fellowship-trained and board-certified ophthalmologist specializing in corneal transplant procedures at Triad Eye Institute.

He also performs LASIK blade-free vision correction, LenSx laser-assisted cataract surgery and refractive lens implant surgeries.

Dr. Conley is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Osteopathic College of Ophthalmology Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, American Osteopathic Association, and Oklahoma Osteopathic Association.