Corneal Transplantation - Eye Transplant Cost in India - Get Cost Estimate

Corneal transplantation, also known as a corneal graft or eye transplant, is a surgical procedure where a damaged or diseased cornea is replaced with healthy donor tissue. The cornea is the transparent, dome-shaped surface at the front of the eye that helps focus light. When it becomes cloudy or scarred due to injury, infection, or disease, it can significantly impair vision. Corneal transplantation restores clarity and improves vision, often leading to dramatic improvements in a patient’s quality of life.

People may need a corneal transplant if they suffer from conditions that affect the structure or clarity of the cornea. Common reasons include keratoconus (a condition where the cornea thins and bulges outward), corneal scarring from infections like herpes simplex, traumatic injuries, complications from previous eye surgeries, or degenerative diseases such as Fuchs' dystrophy. In severe cases where vision cannot be restored through glasses, contact lenses, or medications, transplantation becomes necessary.

Corneal transplant surgery is typically done under local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia, depending on the patient’s condition and preference. The surgeon removes the damaged or diseased portion of the cornea and replaces it with a precisely cut, healthy donor cornea. The most common type of transplant is penetrating keratoplasty (full-thickness transplant), but other methods like DSEK (Descemet's Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty) or DMEK may be used for specific conditions. The new cornea is carefully stitched into place using fine sutures, and the eye is then protected with a shield.