Corneal transplantation (keratoplasty) is indicated for a number of serious corneal conditions, e.g., scarring, edema, thinning and distortion.

An efficient Eye Bank operates in Queensland and is based at the Princess Alexandra Hospital. Graft tissue can be obtained from the Queensland Eye Bank for which a processing fee is charged. This tissue is subject to rigid testing to ensure no cross infection. There is no significant value to blood type matching in corneal transplant surgery. Your doctor will liaise with the Eye Bank prior to your operation.

The recipients eye is prepared by cutting a circle of diseased cornea with an instrument called a trephine (cookie cutter action). This tissue is removed. A corresponding piece of circular cornea is cut using the same technique from the donor cornea. This donor tissue is then sutured into place using a continuous suture. The entire operation takes approximately 45 minutes and is generally performed under a local anaesthetic block and with the use of sedation to ensure patient comfort.