Our Summary

This study is about improving the success rate of high-risk corneal transplants. A major reason why these transplants fail is due to the growth of abnormal new blood and lymph vessels in the transplanted cornea. The researchers tried to prevent this by treating the donor cornea with a specific protein (VEGFR1R2 cytokine trap) that blocks the growth of these unwanted vessels.

They found that this protein stayed in the transplanted cornea for at least two weeks after surgery and also spread into the recipient’s cornea. This treatment significantly reduced the amount of abnormal blood and lymph vessels, as well as certain immune cells that can cause transplant rejection.

In addition, they found a significant increase in certain regulatory immune cells which can help the body accept the transplanted cornea. The survival rate of the transplanted cornea was significantly improved in the long term.

This suggests that pretreating donor corneas with this protein could be a new way to improve the success rate of high-risk corneal transplants.

FAQs

  1. What is a major reason for the failure of high-risk corneal transplants?
  2. How does the VEGFR1R2 cytokine trap protein help in improving the success rate of corneal transplants?
  3. What are the benefits of pretreating donor corneas with the VEGFR1R2 cytokine trap protein?

Doctor’s Tip

If you are considering a corneal transplant, it is important to discuss all the potential options and treatments with your doctor. This new research on using a specific protein to prevent abnormal vessel growth and improve immune response in the transplanted cornea could be beneficial for high-risk patients. Make sure to ask your doctor about this option and see if it could be a good fit for your situation. It’s always important to stay informed and explore all possible avenues for a successful outcome.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended for corneal transplant surgery include those with:

  • Corneal scarring from infections, injuries, or previous surgeries
  • Keratoconus, a progressive thinning of the cornea that causes distorted vision
  • Fuchs’ dystrophy, a condition that causes the inner layer of the cornea to deteriorate
  • Corneal ulcers that do not respond to medication
  • Corneal swelling (edema) that affects vision
  • Corneal thinning or irregularities that cannot be corrected with glasses or contact lenses

Overall, patients who have severe corneal damage or disease that cannot be treated effectively with other methods may be recommended for a corneal transplant.

Timeline

Before corneal transplant:

  1. Patient experiences visual impairment or loss due to corneal damage or disease.
  2. Patient consults with an ophthalmologist who determines that a corneal transplant is necessary.
  3. Patient undergoes pre-operative evaluations and tests to assess their eligibility for the surgery.
  4. A suitable donor cornea is identified and prepared for transplantation.

After corneal transplant:

  1. Patient undergoes corneal transplant surgery, where the damaged or diseased cornea is replaced with the donor cornea.
  2. Patient is monitored closely post-operatively for any signs of complications or rejection.
  3. Patient may experience blurry vision, discomfort, and sensitivity to light in the initial recovery period.
  4. Patient follows a strict post-operative care regimen, including using eye drops and attending follow-up appointments.
  5. Over time, patient’s vision gradually improves as the transplanted cornea heals and integrates with the surrounding tissue.
  6. Patient may require glasses or contact lenses to achieve optimal vision after the transplant.
  7. Long-term follow-up is necessary to monitor the health and function of the transplanted cornea.

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. Can this protein treatment be used for all corneal transplant patients, or only those considered high-risk?
  2. What are the potential side effects or risks associated with this protein treatment?
  3. How long does the protein stay in the transplanted cornea and how often would the treatment need to be repeated?
  4. Are there any specific criteria or factors that would make a patient ineligible for this type of treatment?
  5. How does this protein treatment compare to other methods currently used to prevent the growth of abnormal blood and lymph vessels in transplanted corneas?
  6. What is the success rate of corneal transplants using this protein treatment compared to traditional methods?
  7. Are there any additional steps or precautions that need to be taken after receiving a corneal transplant with this protein treatment?
  8. How soon after surgery would the effects of the protein treatment be noticeable in terms of reducing the risk of transplant rejection?
  9. Are there any ongoing studies or research being conducted on this protein treatment for corneal transplants?
  10. Are there any other new or emerging treatments for corneal transplants that patients should be aware of?

Reference

Authors: Zhang W, Schönberg A, Hamdorf M, Georgiev T, Cursiefen C, Bock F. Journal: Br J Ophthalmol. 2022 Nov;106(11):1617-1626. doi: 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2021-319745. Epub 2021 Nov 22. PMID: 34810177