Corneal Transplant Prognosis

I have a friend who had a corneal transplant in her left eye in December to correct keratoconus. Post-surgery her vision in that eye was improving until April, when she and her brother accidently bumped heads. His head hit her eye, breaking the stitches in her cornea. She had surgery again to repair the stitches and according to the doctors everything was fine. However from that point on her vision in her left eye has returned to its pre-op state. Understandably my friend is quite depressed about this and almost ready to give up on the medical process. I'm wondering what you think her prognosis will be considering this incident. I would like to be able to tell her something to reassure her and help her stay positive about the whole process, as her mindstate can obviously greatly affect her physical health and healing. Do you think her vision will get better? How long will it take? Thanks!

[Sandy Feldman, MD, MS]

Dear Kasaine,

It is likely that your friend’s vision is now altered due to the sutures used to repair the wound.  It is likely that your friend has astigmatism which will be reduced upon suture removal or use of a contact lens.  

Dr. Feldman

Sandy T. Feldman, M.D., M.S.
ClearView Eye and Laser Medical Center
San Diego, California

[Frankie62]

My mother who is 91 needs a second transplant in same eye after 8 years Due to the graft pulling away and the cornea is swollen.  She is using 128 moisture drops 4-6x/day along with prednisone and eremycyne (sp?) ointment @night time until the surgery on Nov. 2, 2009.  Can you tell me how successful is a second cornea transplant in the same eye.  She does not have sight in the other eye.  thank you,  Joan