Corneal Transplant
Steps Involved in IVF:
Procedure Description
A corneal transplant, also known as a keratoplasty, is a surgical procedure that replaces a damaged or diseased cornea with a healthy donor cornea. The cornea is the clear, front surface of the eye responsible for focusing light and enabling vision. Diseases like keratoconus, corneal scarring from injuries, or degenerative eye conditions can adversely affect the cornea, thereby causing impaired vision or even blindness.
When other treatment options like special contact lenses or medications are ineffective or unsuitable, a corneal transplant becomes necessary. It is a highly specialized surgery typically performed by an ophthalmologist well-versed in the treatment of eye diseases. After the surgery, patients can experience substantial improvement in their vision, although results can vary based on the underlying condition and other health factors.
Because corneal transplants require a suitable donor, compatibility and availability of donor tissue are crucial factors. Hospitals often work with eye banks that can provide high-quality, compatible corneal tissue for transplantation, making this a well-organized and regulated procedure in most developed countries.
Procedure Duration
The actual corneal transplant surgery usually takes approximately 1-2 hours. However, this time frame can vary based on the specific type of keratoplasty—full-thickness (penetrating) or partial-thickness (lamellar)—as well as any complications that might arise during the procedure. Patients are usually under local anesthesia or sedation during the surgery, although general anesthesia may be used in certain circumstances.
The recovery process for a corneal transplant varies by individual and can take several months. Patients usually have to stay in the hospital for at least a day post-surgery for monitoring. After discharge, regular follow-up appointments are essential to check for complications and assess visual improvement. Additionally, patients will be prescribed medications like antibiotics and anti-inflammatory eye drops to aid in the healing process.
It is important to note that while visual improvement can be observed as early as a few weeks after surgery, it may take up to a year or longer for vision to stabilize fully. Strict adherence to the post-operative care regimen is vital for successful recovery and optimal visual outcomes.
Benefits
- Cost Savings: Medical tourism can provide substantial cost savings, especially for patients from countries where healthcare is expensive.
- Expertise: Some countries specialize in ophthalmology and offer experienced surgeons and state-of-the-art facilities.
- Advanced Technology: Access to the latest surgical techniques and equipment may be more readily available in certain medical tourism destinations.
- Wait Time: Shorter wait times for donor tissue and the procedure itself can be a significant advantage.
Potential Destinations
- India: Known for high-quality eye care centers with experienced ophthalmologists.
- Thailand: Offers modern healthcare facilities and is popular for various types of eye surgeries.
- Spain: European destination with advanced medical technology and expertise in ophthalmology.
- Mexico: Proximity to the U.S. and affordable healthcare options make it a chosen destination for many.
Risks & Considerations
- Quality of Care: Variances in medical standards and regulations.
- Communication: Language barriers can be a potential issue.
- Travel Logistics: Consider the duration of the stay and potential need for multiple visits.
- Post-op Care: Traveling too soon after surgery can increase risk of complications.
How to Choose the Right Doctor and Hospital
- Certification: Ensure that the ophthalmologist is board-certified and credentialed.
- Reviews & Testimonials: Look for reviews or seek recommendations from previous patients.
- Facility Tour: If possible, tour the facility beforehand to gauge the standard of care.
- Consult Multiple Sources: Don't rely solely on one recommendation; get multiple opinions if possible.
To receive a free quote for this procedure please click on the link: https://www.medicaltourism.com/get-a-quote
Patients are advised to seek hospitals that are accredited by Global Healthcare and only work with medical tourism facilitators who are certified by Global Healthcare Accreditation or who have undergone certification from the Certified Medical Travel Professionals (CMTP). This ensures that the highest standards in the industry are met. GHA accredits the top hospitals in the world. These are the best hospitals in the world for quality and providing the best patient experience. Click the link to check out hospitals accredited by the Global Healthcare Accreditation: https://www.globalhealthcareaccreditation.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What actually happens during hyperstimulation of the ovaries?
The patient will take injectable FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) for eight to eleven days, depending on how long the follicles take to mature. This hormone is produced naturally in a woman’s body causing one egg to develop per cycle. Taking the injectable FSH causes several follicles to develop at once, at approximately the same rate. The development is monitored with vaginal ultrasounds and following the patient’s levels of estradiol and progesterone. FSH brand names include Repronex, Follistim, Menopur, Gonal-F and Bravelle. The patient injects herself daily.
What happens during egg retrieval?
When the follicles have developed enough to be harvested, the patient attends an appointment where she is anesthetized and prepared for the procedure. Next, the doctor uses an ultrasound probe to guide a needle through the vaginal wall and into the follicle of the ovary. The thin needle draws the follicle fluid, which is then examined by an embryologist to find the eggs. The whole process takes about 20 minutes.
What happens to the eggs?
In the next step, the harvested eggs are then fertilized. If the sperm from the potential father, or in some cases, anonymous donor, has normal functionality, the eggs and sperm are placed together in a dish with a nutrient fluid, then incubated overnight to fertilize normally. If the sperm functionality is suboptimal, an embryologist uses Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection to inject a single sperm into a single egg with an extremely precise glass needle. Once fertilization is complete, the embryos are assessed and prepared to be transferred to the patient’s uterus.
How are the embryos transferred back to the uterus?
The doctor and the patient will discuss the number of embryos to be transferred. The number of successfully fertilized eggs usually determines the number of eggs to be placed in the uterus. Embryos are transferred to the uterus with transabdominal ultrasound guidance. This process does not require anesthesia, but it can cause minor cervical or uterine discomfort. Following transfer, the patient is advised to take at least one days bed rest and two or three additional days of rest, then 10 to 12 days later, two pregnancy tests are scheduled to confirm success. Once two positive tests are completed, an obstetrical ultrasound is ordered to show the sac, fetal pole, yolk sac and fetal heart rate.
Embryoscope©
Built into this technology there is a microscope with a powerful camera that allows the uninterrupted monitoring of the embryo during its first hours of life. In this way, we can keep a close eye on the embryo, from the moment when the oocyte is inseminated and begins to divide into smaller and smaller cells, until it can be transferred to the uterus.
Orthopedics Stem Cell
Knee
Research on mesenchymal stem cells regenerative properties in knee osteoarthritis. In these studies, researchers suggest that Stem Cell Therapy has the potential to regenerate lost cartilage, stop and reverse cartilage degeneration, provide pain relief, and improve patient mobility.
Shoulder
Stem Cell Therapy as an Alternative to Rotator Cuff & Shoulder Replacement Surgery. Stem cell therapy may offer an excellent alternative for patients looking to avoid shoulder joint replacement surgery, as well as many other surgical treatments for shoulder pain.
Ankle
If you suffer from chronic or acute ankle pain or instability due to arthritis, cartilage loss, ligament strain or tear, or tendon damage, then you may benefit from non-surgical stem cell treatments or stem cell-enhanced surgery.
Back Pain
Patients now have a minimally invasive option. Stem cell therapy for back pain and disc herniations can potentially repair the damaged disc or facet joint, restore function, rehydrate the disc, and ultimately alleviate chronic pain.
Anti-Aging Stem Cell
Hair Loss
Stem cell therapy and PRP therapy have been shown to be most effective for: Those in the early stages of hair loss, patients who are not viable candidates for surgery and women who prefer to avoid hair surgery.
Facial Anti-Aging
Aesthetic Anti-Aging. The Aesthetic Stem Cell Localized Treatment is a non-surgical minimally invasive procedure to enhance the appearance of aging skin and hair restoration. This all-natural technique combines dermal injections of bone marrow or adipose tissue derived stem cells and growth factors.
Fertility Stem Cell
Endometrial PRP
The stem cells used for treatment of a thin endometrium include mesenchymal stem cells. In addition, successful repair of the endometrium in pregnancy with stem cells has been reported previously.
Low Ovarian Reserve (PRP)
The treatment uses PRP (Platelet-Rich-Plasma), which with stem cell therapy is the novel therapeutic approach for restoring the quality of the ovarian reserve.Your PRP will contain a physiologic balance of platelets, growth factors and white blood cells tailored specifically for you.
Punta Mita Hospital
Mexico
Punta Mita Hospital - Genesis Cell
Mexico
