Smoking After a Cornea Transplant

Once considered the stuff of science fiction, the cornea transplant is now the most common transplant surgery in the United States, according to the Mayo Clinic. This procedure, which replaces damaged cornea tissue with undamaged tissue from a donor, can help restore vision and reduce pain in patients with a damaged or diseased cornea. Like all surgical procedures, the cornea transplant is not without risks. Patients who smoke are encouraged to quit before or after undergoing this procedure.

• Cornea transplant surgery can improve vision.

Purpose

• An eye surgeon may recommend a cornea transplant to correct a number of defects caused by disease or injury, including scarring from an injury or infection, thinning or clouding of the cornea, swelling or ulcers on the cornea, and complications of earlier surgical procedures. Recommendations for such surgery will typically only be made after a thorough eye examination, accompanied by a review of all medications being taken and treatment of any unrelated eye problems that may be discovered.

Warning

• Although cornea transplants are considered to be fairly safe, some risks are associated with this type of procedure, including infection, swelling, an increased risk of developing glaucoma, and rejection of the donor cornea by the body. People with glaucoma and people who suffered from swelling of the cornea after a previous cataract surgery are at the greatest risk for transplant failure. According to the study "Recipient Risk Factors for Graft Failure in the Cornea Donor Study," published in Ophthalmology in June 2009, other factors, including age, gender and whether or not the patient has a history of smoking, do not appear to strongly affect the efficacy of this type of procedure.

Preparatiion

• Quitting smoking is a healthful decision at any time, but it is particularly important prior to undergoing eye surgery such as a corneal transplant. The surgeon may also encourage the patient to lose weight, exercise and make sure that any problems with heart rate and blood pressure are under control.

Post-Surgery

• Eyes that have had a cornea transplant will remain sensitive for the rest of the patient's life. Certain precautions should be taken to protect the eyes from unnecessary stress. Contact sports should be avoided, sunglasses should be worn when out of doors, and dusty or smokey environments should be avoided. Because cigarette smoke is a major irritant for sensitive eyes, patients who smoke should quit after having a cornea transplant.

Considerations

• Both cigarette smoking and drinking alcohol excessively have been linked to the development of cataracts. Patients who smoke are encouraged to quit after cornea transplant surgery in order to preserve the health and integrity of all parts of their eyes.