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A cornea transplant, also known as keratoplasty, is a surgical procedure used to replace part or all of a damaged or diseased cornea with healthy corneal tissue from a donor. The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped surface that covers the front of the eye and plays a key role in focusing vision. Various conditions can affect the cornea, including keratoconus (a condition that causes thinning and bulging of the cornea), corneal ulcers, scarring from infections, and complications from previous eye surgeries.

There are different types of cornea transplants:

- Penetrating Keratoplasty (PK): Involves replacing the entire cornea with a donor cornea.

- Lamellar Keratoplasty: Only the affected layers of the cornea are replaced, either the deeper layers (deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty, DALK) or the surface layers (anterior lamellar keratoplasty, ALK).

- Endothelial Keratoplasty (EK): Specifically targets the innermost layer of the cornea. This type has become more common due to its less invasive nature and quicker recovery times. It includes Descemet’s Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSAEK) and Descemet’s Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK).

The surgery can be performed under local or general anesthesia, depending on the extent of the transplant and the patient's needs. Recovery involves wearing an eye patch initially and using eye drops to promote healing and prevent infection. The total healing process can take several months, during which patients must avoid activities that could impact the eye.

Cornea transplants generally have a high success rate, particularly for conditions not related to active infections. Post-operative care is crucial to monitor for complications such as rejection, where the body’s immune system attacks the new cornea. Signs of rejection include redness, pain, and decreased vision, and require prompt treatment to save the graft.