Corneal transplantation is one of the most common operations in ophthalmology. Below you will find information on when it is needed, the waiting period and cornea donation in Israel.
When Is a Corneal Transplant Needed?
A corneal transplant is needed for various corneal diseases that affect its shape or transparency. Damage to the cornea impairs the ability to see sharply. When vision cannot be improved with external aids such as glasses or lenses, the doctor will recommend a corneal transplant.
The following factors usually influence the decision whether to perform a corneal transplant:
When options for improving vision with aids such as glasses or contact lenses have been exhausted.
When corneal transplant surgery can improve vision. A transplant will not improve vision in every corneal disease.
When surgery can promise better vision than has currently been achieved. If this cannot be assured with a high likelihood, the doctor will probably not recommend corneal transplant surgery.
The patient's ability to protect the operated eye and follow all instructions and treatment steps intended to ensure the transplant succeeds. People at risk of eye injury, or those unable to protect the eye and who may even harm themselves, will not be able to undergo the surgery.
How Long Is the Wait for a Corneal Transplant?
A candidate advised to undergo corneal transplant surgery will be placed on a waiting list. The wait may last several months and sometimes a full year because of high demand and few donors. However, waiting times vary between medical centers and depend on the urgency of the transplant.
Important Information About Cornea Donation
Most corneas come from donors who died at one of Israel's medical centers and whose families, as well as the donors themselves, agreed to donate their organs. Once approval is obtained, the cornea is removed and placed in a special fluid that keeps it healthy and alive. A cornea can be transplanted up to 7 days after removal from the donor. Blood tests are taken from the donor to ensure they do not carry a serious infectious disease such as viral hepatitis or AIDS. The cornea is also checked for integrity and health before transplantation. Corneal transplants do not require a match between the donor's and recipient's blood types.
In Israel, a cornea bank was established in 2011 with assistance from the National Transplant Center, near the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Abu Kabir. It now supplies corneas to all medical centers in the country.
For more information about corneal transplantation https://corneatransplant.co.il/
