162 W 56th St., Suite 206-207 New York, NY 10019

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Corneal Transplant & PKP

In New York City

PKP (Penetrating Keratoplasty) grants the ability to treat disease in the epithelial, stromal, and endothelial layers. A full-thickness graft also eliminates optical interface related visual problems that may exist with lamellar transplants with a stroma-stroma interface. The cornea is the transparent front wall of the eye. A variety of conditions can affect the clarity of the cornea. Dr. Rapoport is a specialists in treating diseases of the cornea, offer both medical and surgical treatment options for these diseases.

PKP NYC

CORNEAL TRANSPLANT FAQS

Why Would I Need Corneal Transplant?

You would need a full thickness corneal transplant if you had a disease or a scar that prevented light from getting in. Examples of diseases that can lead to a scar or a cornea that no longer functions include:
  • Keratoconus
  • Viral infection like herpes or shingles
  • Bacterial infection
  • traumatic scar
  • corneal swelling
Examples of corneal dystrophies/ degenerations that could lead to requiring a full thickness corneal transplant include:
  • Lattice corneal drysrophy
  • Macular corneal dystrophy 
  • Granular corneal dystrophy

What is a Corneal Transplant?

A corneal transplant involves removing the cornea, the clear structure in the front of the eye that is half of a millimeter thick, and replacing it with a cornea from a cadaver. In certain cases, a full thickness corneal transplant is performed (and will be discussed here), and in other cases, a partial thickness corneal transplants, such as a DSEAK, DMEK, or DALK will be performed (and is discussed in another section on this site. Depending on what part of your cornea is diseased/ scarred and how deep it goes will determine what type of transplant you will need.

What to Expect from Corneal Transplants

The corneal transplant surgery is the duration of an hour. There is a little foreign body sensation irritation in the first week of surgery and most people return to their day to day lives in the week following surgery. WIth a full thickness corneal transplant, you take antibiotic drops for about a month and a tapering steroid drop over the first 6 months, with a low dose daily steroid drop the rest of your life. The visual healing process takes over a year, and stitches are removed every few months to improve astigmatism, as guided by topography (imaging). Sometimes glasses or contact lenses are needed to optimize vision. 
With a partial thickness transplant, the visual recovery is a lot quicker, closer to a month. If an air bubble is placed in the anterior chamber to hold the endothelial (partial thickness) graft in place, you will have to lay completely horizontally on your back for 2 days to help the graft stick into place. You will take antibiotic drops for about a month and a tapering steroid drop over the first 6 months, with a low dose daily steroid drop the rest of your life.
Full thickness corneal transplants (PKPs) have a higher risk of rejection than partial thickness corneal transplants for the rest of the graft’s life. Every patient with a corneal transplant needs to be monitored by a cornea specialist for the rest of their lives- initially at 6 month and then at yearly intervals.

PKP FAQS

What Is PKP?

A penetrating keratoplasty, or PKP, is a full thickness corneal transplant. A full thickness disc of a certain size (usually 8-9mm) centrally is removed from the center of the patients’ cornea using microsurgical instruments. A disc of the appropriate size is then cut from the donor cornea using specific instruments and sutured using microscopic suture in place. The visual rehabilitation of a penetrating keratoplasty lasts about one year. To optimize vision and to decrease astigmatism, individual sutures are removed over the course of the year. Topography (imaging) guides where to remove sutures, and 1-2 sutures are removed every few months, to ensure corneal stability.

What to Expect from PKP?

Postoperative recovery time is relatively long, sometimes taking years to achieve best-corrected visual acuity. Frequently, there is substantial postoperative refractive error due to high regular or irregular astigmatism of the graft, and a higher chance of requiring rigid gas permeable contact lens wear to correct astigmatic error. There is a higher risk of allograft rejection compared with other keratoplasty types. Additionally, PKs carry a higher lifetime risk of wound dehiscence due to the compromised tectonic strength that comes from a full-thickness wound.

WHY CHOOSE MANHATTAN EYE?

PKP with Dr. Rapoport
in NYC

Diligent follow up during the initial year after a full thickness transplant (PKP) is needed to enable optimal healing, and careful monitoring of visual improvement. Dr. Rapoport meticulously removes sutures to improve vision by checking topographies and adjusting sutures at each visit in the year post-operatively. Relying on the most modern imaging modalities that Manhattan Eye has and Dr. Rapoport’s technical skill will ensure that you have a superb post-operative course. 

Corneal Transplant with Dr. Rapoport in NYC

At Manhattan Eye, Dr. Rapoport brings the latest advancements in imaging and surgical techniques to provide the most modern techniques to patients in need of a corneal transplant. She is an expert at DMEK, DWEK, DSAEK and PKP and has published on the post-operative care of these transplants. She brings her delicate surgical touch and warm bedside manner in guiding you through the corneal transplant process.
 
 
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“I've been essentially blind my whole life and recently decided to get elective eye surgery. I unfortunately did not qualify for Lasik, but did qualify for PRK.

Dr. Rapoport was fantastic - she explained all my options in detail and was very diligent in giving me instructions pre/post operations - even when I asked twice/three times. She's always available to talk and super empathetic. I could not recommend a better eye surgeon!”
M.V.
“Best eye doctor in New York! Dr. Rapoport is very personable, professional and most importantly a great doctor. Dr. Rapoport recently performed my LASIK surgery, for which she gave me clear pre and post-op instructions and made a point to check regularly on my progress. She did a great job to put my nerves at ease and walked me through the entire process. Now three weeks after the surgery I can see better than ever with 20/20+ vision! I strongly recommend Dr. Rapoport if you are considering LASIK, or if you are simply in need of a great eye doctor.”
N.G.
“I have now seen Dr. Rapoport for dry eyes, removal of papillomas around my eyes, and Lasik surgery. My experiences with her have all been wonderful. She always takes the time to explain everything really clearly, and my results have all been great. When I originally asked about Lasik, she gave me a very balanced perspective on my options, which I really appreciated. She also has a great energy about her, and she's just an overall pleasure to be around. I have referred several friends and family to her and they've all said great things about her as well. I can't recommend her enough.”
M.T.
“After seeing Dr. Rapaport for three months I have experienced the greatest improvement for my dry eye syndrome than I have in the past 15 years. Dr. Rapaport is very knowledgable and caring. I am very grateful to her and her staff, in particular to Amy, who has been incredibly helpful to me. Everyone here conducts themselves in a highly professional manner, and they also run a tight ship in terms of timeliness. I have been seen every time without waiting any more than 5 minutes, and this I appreciate a lot. I feel very fortunate to be a patient at this medical practice.”
H.K.
“Dr Rapoport is a skilled, knowledgeable, sincerely caring medical professional. I started seeing her a year ago and have since moved out of state. Regardless, it’s a priority for me to continue under her good care.

I feel confident in her abilities - and it is my eyesight afterall!”
P.J.
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Brief History

Most people consider eyesight the most important of their five senses. As Manhattan ophthalmologists, we have the training and experience to provide the most advanced, effective eye care and eye surgery to protect your eye health and treat eye diseases.

With the latest high-tech imaging modalities and equipment, and the expertise of Dr. Rapoport, Manhattan Eye provides the most modern and individualized experience. Every step of the process is streamlined for your convenience, making sure no questions are left unanswered or concern unaddressed.

Important Links

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NYC Eye Doctor

NYC Lasik

NYC Cataract Surgery

Dry Eyes

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162 W 56th St., Suite 206-207 New York, NY 10019

212-634-9644

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Manhattan Eye is a NYC eye doctor that has treated eye diseases and performed Lasik surgeries, Cataract Surgeries for hundreds of patients in the NYC, Tri-State, metropolitan area.

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