Editing Corneal transplantation (section)

==Alternatives==

===Contact lenses===

Different types of [[contact lenses]] may be used to delay or eliminate the need for corneal transplantation in corneal disorders.

===Phototherapeutic keratectomy===
{{Unreferenced section|date=June 2022}}

Diseases that only affect the surface of the cornea can be treated with an operation called [[phototherapeutic keratectomy]] (PTK). With the precision of an excimer laser and a modulating agent coating the eye, irregularities on the surface can be removed. However, in most of the cases where corneal transplantation is recommended, PTK would not be effective.

===Intrastromal corneal ring segments===

In corneal disorders where vision correction is not possible by using contact lenses, [[intrastromal corneal ring segments]] may be used to flatten the cornea, which is intended to relieve the [[nearsightedness]] and [[astigmatism]]. In this procedure, an [[ophthalmologist]] makes an incision in the cornea of the eye, and inserts two crescent or semi-circular shaped ring segments between the layers of the corneal [[stroma of cornea|stroma]], one on each side of the [[pupil]].<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Rabinowitz YS |title=INTACS for keratoconus and ectasia after LASIK |journal=Int Ophthalmol Clin |volume=53 |issue=1 |pages=27–39 |year=2013 |pmid=23221883 |pmc=3653443 |doi=10.1097/IIO.0b013e3182774453}}</ref> Intrastromal corneal rings were approved in 2004 by the [[Food and Drug Administration]] for people with keratoconus who cannot adequately correct their vision with glasses or contact lenses. They were approved under the [[Humanitarian Device Exemption]],<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Zadnik K, Lindsley K | year = 2014 | title = Intrastromal corneal ring segments for treating keratoconus (Protocol) | journal = Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews | doi = 10.1002/14651858.CD011150 | s2cid = 71002138 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | author = Food and Drug Administration | date = 26 July 2004 | title = INTACS Prescription Inserts for Keratoconus - H040002 | website = [[Food and Drug Administration]] | url = https://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/DeviceApprovalsandClearances/Recently-ApprovedDevices/ucm080953.htm| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090709234326/http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/DeviceApprovalsandClearances/Recently-ApprovedDevices/ucm080953.htm| url-status = dead| archive-date = 9 July 2009}}</ref> which means the manufacturer did not have to demonstrate effectiveness.

===Corneal collagen cross-linking===

[[Corneal collagen cross-linking]] may delay or eliminate the need for corneal transplantation in [[keratoconus]] and [[post-LASIK ectasia]].<ref name=Syk2015>{{cite journal|last1=Sykakis|first1=E|last2=Karim|first2=R|last3=Evans|first3=JR|last4=Bunce|first4=C|last5=Amissah-Arthur|first5=KN|last6=Patwary|first6=S|last7=McDonnell|first7=PJ|last8=Hamada|first8=S|title=Corneal collagen cross-linking for treating keratoconus.|journal=The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews|date=24 March 2015|volume=2015|issue=3|pages=CD010621|pmid=25803325|doi=10.1002/14651858.CD010621.pub2|url=https://researchonline.lshtm.ac.uk/4086927/1/Corneal%20collagen%20cross-linking_GREEN%20VoR.pdf}}</ref>