After corneal transplantation: what is the use of various eye drops?

  After corneal endothelial transplantation, patients generally have to take four types of eye drops, which may be slightly different for individual patients with other eye diseases. The four types of eye drops are antibiotic eye drops, hormonal eye drops, cyclosporine eye drops and artificial tears. Each of these four types of eye drops has its own role to play in protecting the viability of the graft and ensuring the success of the procedure.  First, antibiotic eye drops are used for post-operative anti-inflammatory and antibacterial purposes. The commonly used eye drops are those of the sarsin and quinolone classes. Using antibiotic-based eye drops before the wound is completely healed can reduce the risk of eye infection. Usually one month after surgery, the wound is basically healed, and then you can stop the medication.  Hormonal eye drops and cyclosporine eye drops, both of which are anti-immune rejection drugs, protect the foreign transplanted piece from being attacked by the autoimmune system. Hormonal eye drops are able to counteract all the means of the body’s immune system and are usually used for about a year. However, there are still many side effects when hormones are used for a long time, so doctors will gradually reduce the dosage and mitigate the side effects depending on the severity of the patient’s rejection reaction.  Cyclosporine, on the other hand, is a specialized immunosuppressant that prevents the immune system from producing cells that have the power to kill to attack the transplanted piece. It has to be started after surgery and is usually maintained long after the hormonal drops are stopped. Also, cyclosporine itself has a suppressive effect on ocular surface inflammation.  The last type is artificial tears, the solution itself is more viscous and has no preservatives. Artificial tears will promote the repair of the corneal epithelium, reinforcing the protective defense of the outer layer of the eye and, at the same time, improving the discomfort caused by large corneal epithelial blisters. In addition, artificial tears will hydrate and relieve the symptoms of dry eyes.