Corneal Transplant

Restoring Comfort & Clarity

Why Vision After a Transplant Is Complicated

A corneal transplant can improve the health of your eye, but vision may still remain blurry after surgery. As the eye heals, the new cornea can develop an uneven shape or astigmatism that glasses and soft contact lenses cannot fully correct. Many patients notice glare, halos, or fluctuating vision even after a successful transplant. This is common and is often treatable with specialty scleral lenses.

Benefits of Scleral Lenses After a Translpant

Scleral lenses are custom-designed contact lenses that vault over the cornea to create a smooth optical surface. This helps improve blurry or distorted vision caused by an irregular cornea after transplant surgery. Many patients experience sharper, more stable vision and better comfort compared to glasses or traditional contact lenses. Scleral lenses can also help protect and support the healing corneal graft.

How Contact Lens Institute of Kansas Can Help

We specialize in scleral lenses for corneal transplant patients and other complex corneal conditions. Using advanced imaging and mapping technology, we design fully customized
lenses for your unique eye shape and vision needs. Dr. Letourneau takes time to carefully evaluate your eyes, improve your comfort, and help you achieve the clearest vision possible. Our goal is to help you regain confidence in your everyday vision after corneal transplant surgery.

We Fit Lenses for All Transplant Types

PKP - Penetrating Keratoplasty

Full-thickness corneal transplant replacing all layers of the cornea. Post-PKP eyes are among the most irregular and require the most customized scleral lens designs.

DALK-Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty

Partial-thickness transplant replacing the front layers while preserving the patient's own endothelium. Specialty lenses correct the surface irregularity that often remains after healing.

DSAEK/DMEK - Endothelial Keratoplasty

Transplants targeting the innermost layer of the cornea. These patients may have less surface irregularity but still benefit from specialty lenses when standard correction is inadequate.

Post-Graft Astigmatism

Sutures used to secure the donor graft often cause significant, irregular astigmatism that persists even after suture removal. Scleral lenses effortlessly neutralize this astigmatism.

Graft Rejection Recovery

Patients whose grafts have experienced rejection episodes may have more pronounced corneal irregularity. We specialize in addressing even the most complex post-rejection topographies.

Long-Term Graft Management

As corneal grafts age over years and decades, their surface can change. We provide ongoing care and lens adjustments to ensure your vision remains optimal throughout the life of your graft.

Why Scleral Lenses Excel for Transplant Patients

Clearer, More Stable Vision

Scleral lenses create a smooth optical surface over the irregular cornea, helping reduce blur, glare, halos, and fluctuating vision after corneal transplant surgery.

Gentle Protection for the Graft

Because scleral lenses vault over the transplanted cornea instead of resting directly on it, they help minimize irritation while supporting long-term graft health.

Comfortable Vision All Day

The fluid-filled design of scleral lenses helps keep the eyes comfortable, hydrated, and visually stable from morning to night.

Fully Customized for Your Eye

Using advanced Eaglet ESP mapping technology, each scleral lens is individually designed to match the unique shape of your post-transplant cornea for a precise, personalized fit.

The Post-Transplant Fitting Process

Surgical Coordination

We work with your corneal surgeon to confirm graft stability and gather important surgical records before your first visit.

Advanced Mapping

The Eaglet ESP creates a highly detailed map of your cornea to guide a precise, personalized scleral lens fit.

Custom Lens Design

Using your corneal mapping data, we design a custom scleral lens tailored to your unique eye shape, vision needs, and graft health.

Fitting & Ongoing Care

We use the Optovue Solix OCT to confirm proper lens clearance over the graft, then provide training, follow-up care, and ongoing support.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is a Corneal Transplant?

A corneal transplant (keratoplasty) is a surgical procedure that replaces part or all of a damaged cornea with healthy donor tissue. It is performed when the cornea becomes scarred, diseased, or irregular enough to affect vision. Common types of corneal transplant surgery include DALK (Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty) and PKP (Penetrating Keratoplasty).

Why Do I Need a Specialty Contact Lens After My Transplant?

After a corneal transplant, the cornea often heals with an irregular shape that glasses or soft contact lenses cannot fully correct. Specialty scleral lenses vault over the transplanted cornea to create a smooth optical surface, helping restore clearer, more comfortable vision without
touching the sensitive graft.

How Soon After Surgery Can I Be Fitted?

The timing depends on your surgeon’s recommendation and how well your cornea has healed and stabilized. In many cases, scleral lens fitting begins about 3–12 months after surgery once the graft is stable. We work closely with your corneal surgeon to coordinate the right timing for your individual case.

Will the Lenses Harm My Transplanted Cornea?

Scleral lenses are designed to fit gently over the cornea without touching the transplanted tissue itself. A layer of fluid remains between the lens and the graft, helping support comfort and protect the surface of the eye throughout the day. Dr. Letourneau carefully monitors each fit to ensure your lenses remain safe, comfortable, and healthy for long-term wear.

Any Questions?

Our team will promptly email or call you to answer any questions you may have.

Olathe

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Topeka Satellite Location

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Lawrence

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