A "lamellar corneal transplant" refers to what surgical procedure?

A lamellar corneal transplant specifically involves the transplantation of the anterior portion of the cornea, which can be described as a "half thickness" of the cornea. This type of transplant is designed to replace only the affected layers of the cornea rather than the entire thickness, which is characteristic of a full-thickness transplant, also known as a penetrating keratoplasty.

By focusing on the anterior layers—such as the epithelium and part of the stroma—this procedure can effectively treat conditions that affect the front of the cornea without disturbing the posterior layers or the endothelium, which is important for maintaining corneal clarity and function. This selective approach allows for quicker recovery times and can reduce the risk of certain complications that are associated with full-thickness grafts.

The options involving full-thickness transplants or only the endothelium do not align with the definition of a lamellar transplant, as they pertain to different surgical techniques. Similarly, a procedure for freezing corneal tissue does not relate to the transplant itself, but rather to methods of preserving corneal tissue for later use. Thus, the appropriateness of choosing the anterior "half thickness" transplant solidifies the fundamental understanding of lamellar corneal trans