Know More about Organ Donation - Corneal Transplant

Know More about Organ Donation - Corneal Transplant

What is corneal transplant?

  • Cornea is a transparent layer on the eyeball surface. Scarring of the cornea from injury or disease will result in opacity and blindness. Transplantation with a healthy cornea can help to restore vision.
  • Corneal transplant is the most frequently performed tissue transplant in Hong Kong. It carries a high success rate because there are very few instances of rejection.
  • The first successful corneal transplant in Hong Kong was performed in 1961.

    • Indications for corneal transplant

    • Degeneration, such as bullous keratopathy
    • Microbial infection, such as fungal infection
    • Trauma, such as chemical burns
    • Dystrophy, such as keratoconus

    Criteria for deceased cornea donor

    • Aged below 80
    • Meet the general criteria for deceased organ / tissue donation
    • Most cancers are acceptable
    • Donation within 12 hours after cardiac death
    • No history of corneal trauma or disease
    • Corneas from short-sighted or long-sighted persons can be donated