Corneal transplants (Penetrating Keratoplasty)

At the Assil Eye Institute, corneal transplantation is a labor of love. We have helped people that for years had little to no vision, providing them with the gift of sight with less dependence on eye glasses or contact lenses. The Assil Eye Institute provides state-of-the-art technology in corneal transplantation, including post-transplant corneal laser sculpting (LASIK) if needed for further vision enhancement.

The cornea is the clear window over the front of the eye and serves as the eyes most powerful focusing lens. Two thirds of the eyes ability to focus light resides within the cornea. Furthermore, the cornea is the only transparent tissue in the body (thus allowing light to freely enter the eye). The corneas transparency is a direct result of its unique biological design. Any damage to the cornea, which alters its architectural integrity, causes a loss of transparency and may result in the need for a corneal transplant.

Prior to his arrival in Los Angeles, Dr. Kerry Assil served as the medical director of the Mid-America Eye and Tissue Bank (while he was a professor in St. Louis). In doing so, his service performed approximately 200 corneal transplants per year, the largest number in the mid western United States.

Now serving as the medical director of the Assil Eye Institute, Dr. Kerry Assil has taken transplantation a step further. In some cases, our patients have the desire to see well (following their transplantation). For those patients LASIK is now an option to fulfill their vision needs.

Having performed thousands of transplants during his career, and has found that the PK method works the best for his patients. The PK method holds true for having the greatest longevity and highest success, while being able to then perform LASIK post operatively.

     Some conditions that may necessitate corneal transplants:

• Keratoconus (stretching of the cornea)
• Corneal scarring, such as herpetic or traumatic scarring
• Inherited corneal disorders, such as Fuchs Dystrophy
• Permanent corneal swelling following trauma or prior eye surgery

To find out more about the need for and surgery options for corneal transplants,

please contact Dr. Assil at info@assileye.com