Question

Why can cornea be easily transplanted?

Answer 1

Hint:-The cornea is the transparent part which covers the eye’s front portion. The cornea focuses almost all the light entering the eye. It covers the anterior chamber (the fluid-filled inside the eye), the iris and the pupil.

Complete step-by-step solution:-
The primary function of the cornea is to bend or refract any light falling on it. It consists of cells and proteins. It does not consist of blood vessels, unlike any other human tissue, thus it is a non-vascular tissue. Since, blood vessels may cloud the cornea, prevent it from properly refracting the light and may adversely affect vision. Appropriate compatibility and matching between the donor and the recipient is one of the most important steps of any organ (vascular) transplantation to be successful. This matching involves blood groups' matching, etc. Any mismatch of which might result in serious or fatal consequences. But, if it's done for any non vascular tissue, then there would be no need for such perfect donor-recipient matching. Similar is the case with corneal transplantation. The cornea is completely non-vascular. Anyone can receive a cornea from any other person if needed. Thus, corneal transplants are much easier and successful, as compared to other organ transplants.

Note:-
- Because there is no blood vessel to supply nutrition to the cornea, the anterior chamber’s aqueous humor and tears perform this function.
- The cornea can easily repair itself, from any minor scraping or abrasion.
- A cornea transplant (keratoplasty) can restore vision, reduce pain and improve the appearance of a damaged or diseased cornea.