Corneal Tissue Addition Keratoplasty (CTAK) is an advanced surgical treatment for people with keratoconus and other conditions that cause the cornea to become thin, irregular, or bulged. Using specially prepared donor corneal tissue, CTAK helps strengthen and reshape the cornea while preserving your own corneal tissue.
What Is CTAK?
CTAK uses specially prepared donor corneal tissue to strengthen and reshape the cornea, which may improve vision and reduce corneal distortion.
Unlike a traditional corneal transplant, CTAK does not replace the entire cornea. Instead, customized donor tissue is added within the cornea to help restore a more regular shape.
Your surgeon will use a detailed eye examination and corneal imaging to determine whether CTAK may be appropriate for you.
Who May Benefit from CTAK?
- Keratoconus
- Corneal ectasia following refractive surgery
- Progressive corneal thinning
- Irregular corneal shape that affects vision
- Difficulty achieving good vision with glasses or contact lenses alone
Not every patient is a candidate. Your surgeon will determine whether CTAK is appropriate based on your eye examination and corneal imaging.
How Does CTAK Work?
CTAK is customized to the individual shape and thickness of your cornea.
- Detailed corneal imaging: Scans are taken to map the shape and thickness of your cornea.
- Customized donor tissue: Donor corneal tissue is prepared specifically for your corneal shape.
- Laser-created channel: A femtosecond laser creates a small channel within the cornea.
- Tissue placement: The customized donor tissue is inserted into the channel.
- Corneal support: The added tissue helps reshape and support the cornea.
Potential Benefits of CTAK
- Improved vision
- A more regular corneal shape
- Reduced corneal steepening
- Preservation of your own corneal tissue
- Less invasive than a full-thickness corneal transplant
- Potential delay or avoidance of corneal transplantation in some patients
Every cornea is different, and individual results vary. Your surgeon will discuss the potential benefits of CTAK based on your specific condition.
What Happens During CTAK Surgery?
- CTAK is typically performed as an outpatient procedure and may be done as a staged, two-part procedure.
- Numbing drops are used, and some patients may receive mild sedation.
- The procedure generally takes less than an hour.
- Most patients do not experience significant pain during surgery.
Recovery After CTAK
During early healing, it is normal to experience:
- Mild irritation or discomfort
- Tearing
- Redness
- Sensitivity to light
- Blurry or fluctuating vision
Your doctor will prescribe eye drops and provide specific instructions for recovery. Vision often improves gradually over several weeks to months as the cornea heals and stabilizes.
Are There Risks?
As with any eye surgery, risks can occur. These may include infection, inflammation, delayed healing, glare or visual fluctuations, need for additional treatment, or incomplete vision improvement. Your surgeon will discuss your individual risks and benefits before surgery.
