A cornea transplant is almost never rejected.
Why Cornea Transplants Rarely Fail
The success rate of cornea transplants is exceptionally high because the cornea lacks blood vessels. This unique characteristic significantly reduces the risk of immune rejection. The cornea's avascular nature means that the body's immune system has limited access to the transplanted tissue, minimizing the chance of an immune response.
- Limited Blood Supply: The absence of blood vessels prevents immune cells from easily reaching the transplanted cornea.
- Immunological Privileged Site: The cornea is considered an immunologically privileged site, meaning it's less likely to trigger an immune response.
- Barrier Against Bacteria: The cornea's structure also provides a natural barrier against bacteria, further contributing to the high success rate of transplants. This means that infections that can complicate other types of transplants are less common.
This lack of rejection is primarily due to the cornea's unique properties: its avascular nature and its position in the eye contribute to its immune privilege. Unlike other organs which are highly vascularized, making them susceptible to immune attack after transplantation, the cornea avoids this risk.
