On the waiting list for a cornea
If the cornea of your eye is diseased, a corneal transplant may be necessary. The doctor will determine this with you and place you on the waiting list.
Two types of waiting lists
There are two types of waiting lists:
- The regular waiting list.
- The waiting list with HLA typing. Most patients are placed on the regular waiting list.
Regular waiting list
If no specific type of cornea is required, you will be placed on the regular waiting list. In the Netherlands, there are usually enough corneas of this type available. The doctor will schedule an operation for you.
However, you sometimes have to wait a while. Corneas have a limited shelf life after removal, a maximum of one month. Some months have more donors than others. Therefore, the surgery schedule sometimes needs to be adjusted.
Waiting list with HLA typing
There is also a waiting list for patients who need a special type of cornea. This is called a cornea with HLA typing. HLA stands for Human Leukocyte Antigen and is a type of tissue code.
Are you on this waiting list?
Then the donor's HLA must match your HLA. Otherwise, an immune response may occur. The doctor will indicate if this is necessary. This does not happen often.
It can be difficult to find a donor with a similar HLA. As a result, the waiting time may be longer than for patients on the regular waiting list.
A computer program calculates which waiting list patient a donor cornea with a specific HLA type best matches. This takes into account how long you have been waiting and your medical situation.
What if you need a cornea urgently?
If you need a corneal transplant urgently (within 48 hours), you will not be placed on these waiting lists. The ophthalmologist will then request a cornea through a separate route. There is almost always a cornea ready for such an acute situation. This cornea can be used immediately for a transplant.
Questions?
Do you have questions about the surgery, risks, or recovery? It is best to ask your ophthalmologist.