What Are the Risks of an Eye Transplant?

Any type of transplant surgery carries risks, and eye transplant surgery is no different. Only the cornea is transferred during such an operation, but the recipient's body still can reject it at any time, a threat countered by the use of steroids. Another risk that often is preventable is infection, which many doctors help patients avoid by prescribing antibiotics after an eye transplant. Glaucoma, cataracts and retinal detachment are some other risks involved in this type of transplant surgery, but the majority of patients are spared from such issues, because risks associated with this surgery are rare.

One of the most well-known risks of an eye transplant is the rejection of the cornea. This may occur weeks after the surgery, or it may take years; either way, it may be prevented using physician-prescribed steroids. This method of prevention, however, cannot always stop rejection of the donor eye, which means the operation may need to be repeated for some patients. Some symptoms that indicate the body is rejecting the donor cornea include reduced vision, eye redness and pain. In many cases, the eye also will seem overly sensitive to light, making it nearly impossible for the patient to comfortably keep the new cornea in place.

Another risk that can come with any type of organ transplant is infection. The cornea does not normally feature blood vessels, which often means it cannot heal as quickly as other parts of the body. In some cases, bacteria can take advantage of the slow healing process, infecting the cornea shortly after the eye transplant. This is why many doctors offer patients antibiotic eye drops even before infection begins, because this can keep bacteria at bay as the eye heals.

There are other risks associated with an eye transplant, and many may occur even without this type of surgery, especially as patients age. For example, glaucoma is a condition in which excess fluid in the eye causes pressure, often leading to decreased vision, eye redness and the appearance of a halo border when looking at lights. Another possible risk of an eye transplant is the onset of cataracts, which tend to create a cloud over the eye so blurry vision, glare and reduced ability to see at night are all possible symptoms. Those who opt for a corneal transplant also are at risk for retinal detachment, in which the retina comes loose from its location in the back of the eye, causing decreased vision.