Pharmacotherapy of corneal transplantation

Corneal transplantation is a surgical procedure in which damaged or diseased cornea is replaced by cadaveric corneal tissue. It is the most common form of solid-tissue transplantation in humans but its pharmacotherapy (in relation to graft rejection) has changed little for several decades. The mainstay of treatment of corneal graft rejection remains corticosteroids but these are variably effective and are associated with potentially serious adverse effects. Newer immunosuppressive drugs are increasingly being employed to manage high-risk grafts. However, these drugs are also not without side-effects, some of which can be severe and life-threatening.

This review outlines the corneal transplant procedure and the treatment options available in the management of transplant rejection.

The surgical technique of corneal lamellar grafting has allowed for transplantation of smaller quantities of donor tissue to the recipient, thereby reducing the antigen load as a means of preventing a rejection episode. With greater understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms involved in corneal transplant rejection pathology, potentially newer medications that will target specific cytokines or cells involved in rejection, whilst minimizing the potential side effects to the graft recipient, will be made available.