PKP

Penetrating Keratoplasty (PKP) is needed when your cornea becomes damaged from disease, previous eye surgery, injury, or infection. The most common reasons PKP may be needed include:

-Keratoconus (when the shape of the cornea changes from round to cone)

-Corneal Injury (such as chemicals, infection, or accidental injury)

-Previous Eye Surgery (possible symptoms could include cloudiness, swelling of the cornea, glare, or blisters)

• The procedure involves removal of the whole cornea and replacement with a full thickness cornea from a donor. This treatment is used for corneal decomposition, corneal dystrophies (other than keratoconus) including Fuch’s Dystrophy, and corneal trauma/corneal scarring.

The advantage of a full thickness corneal transplant is that it can restore vision even in the most advanced stages of Fuchs’ dystrophy and other necessary intraocular surgery can be performed at the same time as the transplant.