Eye Injury

Posted by Surojit Kumar Bose on August 16, 1999 at 03:50:18
Dear Doctor,
I am 40 years of age from India. On 27th March 1999 I had a vehicle accident. One of my healthy eyes(right) was damaged severely. Cornea was cut from 10 O'clock to 6 O'clock due to one glass piece entered through cornea, retina was detached with vitreos hemorrhage and iris was also prolapsed. On 9th April 1999 I had an operation (Vitrectomy + gas injection), after which retina was attached and also foggy vision came back(hand motion at less than one feet only). Now I can undertand light source from different direction. One week back I had been to cornea specialist. She was suggesting to do cornea plantation for my vision to come back. My cornea is opaque and color is dark blue. QUESTIONS: a)Shall I wait for more time instead of going for plantation, so that cornea became transparent by itself after it heals fully. b) If I am going for plantation, what is the success rate? About karatoconus patient the success rate is very high but I am not getting any statistics about my case. If there is a success, how will I manage without iris? After the operation whether I need special glass for my viewing correction(before accident it was healthy eye).c) Is there any adverse effect on my other healthy (left) eye in future due to all these.
I apologize for the length of this. Your time is appreciated. Thank you for your advice in advance.
Surojit

Posted by hfhs md - ni on August 16, 1999 at 10:24:43
The prognosis for return of good vision is generally not very good after an injury like you describe.  Since there is so much variability there are no applicable statistics.  Cornea transplants can improve the vision if the main problem is the cornea and if the retina is otherwise functioning.  Sometimes it is difficult to determine this preoperatively.  After trauma, it is very rare, but possible for a particular type of inflammation to occur (sympathetic ophthalmia) which can affect your good eye.
I cannot advise you regarding whether you should have a cornea transplant without examining you.