The cornea is the clear front of the eye that covers the colored iris and the round pupil. Light is focused while passing through the cornea. To stay clear, the cornea must be healthy. If the cornea is damaged it may become swollen or scarred. Scars, swelling, and irregularities cause the cornea to scatter or distort light, resulting in glare or blurred vision.
Corneal transplants can help restore lost vision and relieve painful swelling.
Ophthalmologists perform more than 40,000 corneal transplants each year in the United States.