Thanks Zaz!
The current surgical technology is very advanced for eyes, compared to when I was a young kid (1960's). But, we are no where near doing full eye transplants. The optic nerve and it's connections to the brain are the issue for full eye transplants. Can't do those yet.
"The human optic nerve contains between 693,000 to 1,685,000 fibers, and their count decreases with age."
For comparison, there are 864 fibers in a single high-capacity communications cable (telco/internet).
"The main challenge is the inability to regenerate the optic nerve to reconnect the new eye to the brain, making functional sight impossible after the surgery at this time."
"A whole eye was transplanted in May 2023 to a patient with severe electrical burns. The transplanted eye remains healthy with good blood flow, but the patient cannot see through it."
"Even if the optic nerve could be surgically reattached, researchers need to find a way to make the new nerve fibers connect properly to the recipient's brain to restore vision, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology."
Correct. In my case it's a partial corneal transplant.
Per my team, a full corneal transplant (PKP) is more risky versus partial cornea transplants. There is a greater risk of ones body rejecting a full cornea xplant (even with meds). And a much longer recovery time, up to one year, versus a partial, which typically takes 6-8 weeks (up to a few months).
Not sure how in-depth your schooling or practice was regarding the specifics of the cornea. The cornea has 5 layers. A full transplant is all five layers. Each layer performs a unique function within the cornea.
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I'm having the Descemet's membrane and Endothelium transplanted (as one layer); due to complications from the surgery I had October 8th.
Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK) is an advanced type of corneal transplant surgery used to treat diseases that affect the innermost layer of the cornea, called the endothelium. It's a high-tech microscopic surgery.
My surgeon told me that combined the Descemet's membrane and Endothelium are 14-16um, or 0.014-0.016mm, or roughly the thickness of a human hair.
He will make a 2mm incision in my eye, remove those two layers from my cornea and then transplant the donor tissue. Finally he will insert a gas bubble behind the new tissue, pressing it up against the Stroma. The gas bubble aids adherence to the rest of the cornea.
It is possible that my body rejects the transplant (even with meds), then a second one would be performed. If that doesn't take then he would insert an artificial layer (which would need to be replaced at a later date). A full corneal transplant would remain as a future option.
There are some pretty cool videos on YouTube that show the procedure.
LOL, my team of ophthalmologist's know my eyes well. They repaired two different detached retinas in my right eye along with other eye surgeries. A detached retina is a risk with cornea surgery (true for just about any eye surgery).
My right eye has a significantly sized optic nerve coloboma. It's a congenital defect where there is a gap or cavity in the optic nerve, caused by the incomplete closure of the embryonic fissure during eye development.
Optic nerve colobomas are rare. Prevalence is around 0.5 to 0.7 per 10,000 births.
Because of that, my right eye is considered legally blind (though there is vision, LOL). Vision is between 20/800 and 20/1000, and not correctable in any way.
I'll have to find and post one of those photos. They are among the "more tame" pics I have.
Eyes totally fascinate me. Always have.
.............long post, LOLz
I would probably need a full transplant (bilateral) although it is possible, but not likely a deep. anterior, down to Decsemet's layer (DALK transplant) could be possible. I haven't been evaluated for transplant yet. Right now, with the expense hybrid contact lenses, I can see well enough to drive, but just barely. If my vision deteriorates to the point of not being able to drive, then I'll consider transplant. I would insist on cataract surgery at the same time. I have cataracts, but not bad.
