How successful is corneal transplantation?

Corneal transplantation restores vision only in eyes that have been partially blinded by corneal disease. If a person is blinded by glaucoma, a detached retina, or degenerative change and the retina has been damaged or destroyed, nothing can restore lost sight.
In favorable subjects the rate of success of corneal transplantation may be as high as 90%, with good final visual acuity with glasses. In unfavorable subjects, the rate of success may be around 10 to 20%. Each patient is evaluated individually before definite results can be predicted. The most important factors in determining the final results are:
• Basic corneal disease (some types of corneal disease respond better to corneal transplantation than others).
• State of the donor’s cornea.
• Surgical technique and skill.
• Healing ability of the recipient cornea.
• Sensitivity reactions between donor and recipient cornea may lead to transplant rejection.
• Presence of concurrent eye diseases like glaucoma, retinal diseases reduce the chances of good visual outcome
The advantages of lamellar keratoplasty (newer techniques) are better visual outcome, quicker rehabilitation and lower rates of transplant rejection.