This is becoming performed less and less often with the advance of new techniques and technology.
This procedure involves removal of the whole cornea (all 5 layers) and replacement with a full thickness cornea from a donor. The cornea is stitched into place using stitches of 20 microns (40% the thickness of Human Hair !).
Penetrating or Full Thickness graft performed in 1999 for Keratoconus
Stitches are typically removed at one year. It can also take about this time frame for vision to be restored to a satisfactory level. Often patients who have had a penetrating keratoplasty require glasses or contact lenses for visual correnctio.
Advantages
Good optical clarity
Disadvantages
Risk of open eye surgery
(haemorrhage, infection)
Risk of graft rejection
(rejection to endothelial (innermost layer) - which can lead to loss of vision
