DSEK Corneal Transplant Surgery in Chicago / Des Plaines
Dr. James Katz is certified in the most advanced surgical procedure called Descement Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty or DSEK. This procedure strips away only the damaged layer of the cornea or the endothelium and replaces it with a partial thickness piece of donor cornea which contains a healthy endothelium. Since only a portion of the cornea is being replaced the patient's visual recovery is faster than with Penetrating Keratoplasty or PK. Recovery takes about 3 months compared to 1 year with the full-thickness (PK) corneal transplants.
Other advantages over the traditional (PK) corneal transplants include:
- Less astigmatism created (no sutures)
- Eye is stronger and more resistant to injury since less patient tissue has been removed
- Less time in surgery, it's an outpatient procedure
- No general anesthesia is needed
- Reduced chance of organ rejection
- Procedure can be combined with cataract surgery
Risks and complications associated with DSEK can include:
- Bleeding in the eye
- Infection
- Swelling of the retina, causing temporary or permanent blurring of vision
- Retinal detachment
- Glaucoma or high pressure in the eye
- Chronic inflammation
- Droopy eyelid
- Loss of corneal clarity
- Poor vision or total loss of vision
- Loss of the eye
- The body's rejection of the donor cornea
DSEK is not for everyone. A consultation with Dr. James Katz will allow you to discuss your condition, your options and the best treatment options for you. Call today to schedule your appointment with Dr. Katz.
Corneal transplants are a generous gift
Without the selflessness of thousands of donors and their families, corneal transplants would not be possible. Their gift along with the development of DSEK provides more options for people with corneal disease.