August was Organ Donor Awareness Month. Organ donation holds tremendous value in the field of Ophthalmology, as it offers hope and improved quality of life to many individuals suffering from vision impairment or blindness. The transplantation of corneas, the clear front surface of the eye, is the primary focus of organ donation in Ophthalmology. Corneal transplantation is a sight-saving procedure that can restore vision to those with severe corneal diseases or damage, that would otherwise result in irreversible severe visual deterioration or blindness. Corneal tissue, obtained through organ donation, replaces damaged or diseased corneas, enabling recipients to regain their sight and lead more fulfilling lives after their postoperative recovery. In the Western Cape, organ transplants are undertaken in both government and private hospitals e (e.g. heart, kidney, liver, corneal transplants).

You can hear Amanda, the founder of Eyes2Eyes, speak about her lifechanging experience of receiving a corneal transplant here as part of Cape Talk’s Gift of Life podcast series last month. Becoming an Organ Donor is very quick and you can potentially save 7 lives simultaneously. You can sign-up here in 1 minute to register as an Organ Donor.

The rest of the blog will give a little bit more detail on the types of corneal transplants. For clarity, the structure of the cornea is shown in Figure 1. Much has evolved since Eduard Konrad Zirm performed the first successful full thickness corneal transplant (penetrating keratoplasty) in a human in 1905. Various other corneal transplantation techniques now exist, collectively termed “lamellar surgery” and are also summarised below in writing and in Figure 2.

 Figure 1: Structure of the Cornea

1. Penetrating Keratoplasty (PK)

• Replacement of entire cornea thickness (epithelium, stroma, endothelium)
• Useful when there significant scarring, corneal shape changes (e.g. keratoconus with a history of hydrops), significant involvement of the back of the cornea, and ulcerations or perforations through the cornea
• Details: Compared to other techniques, it requires a longer recovery time after the operation is finished, higher risk of the body mounting an immune reaction against the transplant, higher risk of the transplant losing integrity over the course of the patient’s lifetime, higher risk of needing rigid gas permeable lenses to correct astigmatism from the transplant.

2. Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty (DALK)

• Selective replacement of the corneal stroma. The native Descemet membrane and endothelium remain in place.
• Useful when needing to replace corneal stroma in the presence of healthy endothelium, certain types of corneal stromal dystrophies, and corneal ulcers that are not full thickness.
• Details: The surgery is more complex to perform than PK, but there is less risk of endothelial rejection of the transplant, and the transplant has greater integrity because the wound size is smaller.

3. Descemet’s Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSAEK)

• Selective removal of the patient’s Descemet membrane and endothelium, followed by transplantation of donor corneal endothelium and Descemet’s membrane in addition to a thin layer of posterior donor stroma to facilitate handling of the tissue.
• Useful to treat corneal oedema (in the presence of corneal dystrophies), iridocorneal endothelial syndrome, endothelial failure with prior intraocular surgery
• Details: relatively rapid healing time and visual rehabilitation (minimal change to corneal curvature); less risk of graft rejection and suture-related complications compared to PK and DALK; there is risk of postoperative graft dislocation (it is a very thin layer of tissue being transplanted … 100 – 200μm thick!).

4. Descemet’s Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK)

• Selective removal of the patient’s Descemet membrane and endothelium, followed by transplantation of donor corneal endothelium and Descemet’s membrane without adding stroma. This tissue graft is 10-15μm thick!!! (± x10 thinner than in DSAEK!!!).
• Useful for similar conditions to DSAEK.
• Details: offers the most rapid visual rehabilitation of any keratoplasty technique; transplants minimal tissue meaning that there is lower risk of allograft rejection and less long-term reliance on topical steroids.

5. Keratoprosthesis

• Full-thickness removal of the cornea and replacement by an artificial cornea
• Useful in patients with history of multiple failed PKs, severe keratitis and ocular surface disease resulting from limbal stem cell failure (e.g. Steven Johnson’s Syndrome) and chemical injury.

The future of corneal transplantation looks promising with advancements in surgical techniques and regenerative medicine. Laser-assisted procedures and 3D bioprinting are enhancing precision and efficiency, leading to shorter recovery times and better outcomes for patients. Laboratory grown corneas may also reduce donor tissue reliance and customization, reducing risks of rejection.

Figure 2: Schematic portraying the region of corneal tissue transplanted (red) for various modern keratoplasty techniques, including penetrating keratoplasty (PK), deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK), Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK), Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK), and Boston Type I Keratoprosthesis (KPRO). Reproduced from University of Iowa from this link.

Acanthamoeba Keratitis

Acanthamoeba is a genus of single-celled amoeba commonly found in water and soil environments. Some species of Acanthamoeba are also capable of causing infections in animals. Some species of Acanthamoeba are also capable of causing serious infections in humans, including brain infections, skin infections, and acanthamoeba keratitis (an eye infection that targets the cornea). Acanthamoeba keratitis affects the cornea and can cause significant pain, redness, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, and the sensation of something in the eye. It is most common in people who wear contact lenses, but anyone can get the infection. It is so painful because the outermost surface of the cornea is exquisitely sensitive – it has a nerve density that is 300–600 times that of the skin! (1). To prevent this relatively rare infection, it is so important to practice good hygiene, especially when handling contact lenses. Never use tap water on your contact lenses, because acanthamoeba can be found in tap water. Acanthamoeba can also survive in chlorinated swimming pools (2) so protecting your contact lenses with goggles if you cannot take them off completely is a good idea. If left untreated, acanthamoeba keratitis it can lead to corneal ulcers, serious vision loss and even blindness. Treatment involves the use of anti-amoebic medications and may also include surgical removal of infected tissue. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are crucial for the best outcome – seek eye care urgently.

Bottom Image: Corneal melting and new inflammatory growth of blood vessels in a patient with Acanthamoeba keratitis. They lost vision in this eye. Reproduced via open access (3)

References

1. Zander E, Weddell G. Observations on the innervation of the cornea. J Anat. 1951;85(1):68-99.
2. Kaji Y, Hu B, Kawana K, Oshika T. Swimming with soft contact lenses: danger of acanthamoeba keratitis. The Lancet Infectious Diseases. 2005;5(6):392.
3. Lorenzo-Morales J, Khan NA & Walochnik J: An update on Acanthamoebakeratitis: diagnosis, pathogenesis and treatment. Parasite, 2015, 22, 10.

Eyes are rich sensory organs (so practically speaking, they have feelings!). They eyes are happier when they are healthier – they function better and for longer, and there is less need to seek care from optometrists and ophthalmologists. Five general everyday tips are included below that could be used to keep your eyes in good health.

1. Protect your eyes from the sun

UV (ultraviolet) rays, which are given off by direct sunlight, can be harmful to your skin and eyes. If you have consistent sun exposure, without proper eye protection, there is a higher risk of developing cataracts. Certain UV rays of greater intensity are also more aggressive towards the retina. Your thin skin around your eyes can also develop skin cancer and wrinkles. Be sure to wear UV-protective sunglasses even on cloudy days.

2. Have a well-balanced, nutrient rich diet

Eating bright and colourful vegetables can help protect and fortify your eyesight. Orange carrots are full of beta carotene, which is the precursor of Vitamin A. This vitamin is a valuable antioxidant that helps reduce molecular stress and renew cells in the eyes. Oranges and peppers contain Vitamin C, Vitamin E, zeaxanthin, and lutein. These nutrients lower your risk of developing macular degeneration. Green vegetables, like broccoli, kale, lettuce, and peas, also contain valuable nutrients for your cornea and other eye structures. Some light cooking will keep most of their nutrients intact.

3. Don’t smoke

The free-radicals in tobacco smoke make smoking harmful to the eye in two main ways. Firstly, the direct irritation caused by the smoke coming into contact with the eye, which irritates and damages the cornea. The free radicals are responsible for damaging the lipids and proteins in the eyes and causing deposits to form on the surface of the eye’s lens— leading to cataract development. Secondly, there are systemic effects of smoking reduces blood oxygen, damages the blood vessels and causes widespread inflammation. The cumulative effect of this could cause damage to the insulating layer between the retina and the blood vessels that nourish it, potentially leading to degeneration of the macula, which is responsible for receiving light at the centre of the eye.

4. Take regular eye breaks

If you are concentrating on your computer or general work tasks at a desk all day, you can develop eye strain. To rest your eyes, try to concentrate on blinking – it is easy to forget when you are very focused. Try blink for three to four seconds at a time for about two minutes. This will help lubricate your eyes. The tears will cleanse your eyes to improve your focus. It is also valuable to rest your eyes completely from your tasks. For example, every 20 minutes, you could look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

5. Exercise

Exercise improves blood flow throughout the body and removes waste products from all your organs. Exercise is especially good for supplying the retina and optic nerve with important nutrients so that they work optimally. Exercise is also important for corneal nourishment. Additionally, long-term exercise has the effect of reducing the pressure inside your eyes, which prevents permanent damage to your optic nerve. Without a working optic nerve, light signals will not be sent from the eye to the brain, causing vision loss. However, it is important to not be too strenuous with exercise (e.g. with very heavy weights) as this can cause damage! Equally, if you feel pain in your eyes during exercise, it is advisable to take a break and seek medical attention if the problem persists. 

1. The cornea is the clear outer layer of the eye, covering the iris and pupil. The cornea is so transparent that it’s almost invisible.
2. The cornea provides about 2/3 of the eye’s total optical power. A healthy cornea is essential for good vision, as even a small amount of damage to the cornea can significantly affect vision.
3. The cornea is avascular, meaning it contains no blood vessels. The cornea can be thought of as more resistant to infections than other parts of the eye because it has no blood vessels.
4. The cornea is made up of 5 distinct layers, including the epithelium, Bowman’s layer, the stroma, Descemet’s membrane, and the endothelium.
5. The cornea has a high number of nerve endings, making it one of the most sensitive tissues in the body.
6. The cornea is an important part of the eye’s immune defence system.
7. The cornea can be transplanted from one person to another without extensive use of immunosuppressive drugs.
8. The cornea has the ability to regenerate itself, but the process can be slow. The cornea is often used for research on wound healing and regenerative medicine.
9. Contact lenses can be made from materials that mimic the structure and function of the cornea.
10. The cornea helps to reduce glare and protects the eye from harmful UV rays. A damaged cornea can cause significant vision loss, and corneal transplant surgery may be needed to restore vision.