Eye surgeon completes first partial corneal transplant in Maryland area

August 9, 2010

Last week, Dr Garth Stevens performed the first successful partial corneal transplant in the Fredericksburg, Maryland, region. The operation, which took place at the Fredericksburg Ambulatory Surgery Center, lasted approximately 30 minutes in total, according to Fredericksburg.com.

According to the Mayo Clinic, corneal transplants can restore vision, reduce pain and improve the appearance of a damaged cornea. It is a relatively common practice, though this was the first of its kind in the area.

Recovery from the surgery, which is typically less-invasive than a full corneal transplant, can take anywhere from one to two years. In that interval, some patients may experience blurry vision, according to Fredericksburg.com.

"The surgery went well," Stevens told the news source. "We'll know for sure how successful [the procedure was] in about two months."

This particularly surgery replaced only a part of the cornea. The replacement was held in place by an air bubble and several stitches. The result of this form of surgery is a faster recovery time.

According to the American Optometric Association, anyone considering a corneal modification should undergo a comprehensive eye examination to determine their eye health.