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Cornea Transplant: Symptoms, Classification, Diagnosis & Recovery

A cornea transplant, known as keratoplasty, is a surgical procedure that involves replacing a portion of the cornea with donor corneal tissue. The cornea, the clear, dome-shaped surface of the eye, allows light to enter and plays a crucial role in vision clarity.

A cornea transplant, may:

  • Restore vision.
  • Alleviate pain.
  • Improve the appearance of a damaged or diseased cornea.

While most cornea transplant procedures are successful, there is a small risk of complications, such as rejection of the donor cornea.

Cornea replacement surgery may be required for various reasons:

  • Complications from cataract surgery leading to corneal failure.
  • Graft rejection following a previous cornea transplant.
  • Corneal edema or swelling.
  • Chemical burns from eye injuries or accidents.
  • Rare complications from LASIK surgery.
  • Irregular corneal shape and thinning due to keratoconus.
  • Management of eye diseases necessitating corneal intervention.

Corneal transplant surgery, or keratoplasty, is often necessary when the cornea becomes damaged or diseased, resulting in significant vision problems. Here are the common signs and symptoms that might prompt the need for this surgery:

  • Visual Impairment
  • Blurred Vision
  • Distorted Vision
  • Eye Pain
  • Light Sensitivity
  • Photophobia
  • Redness and Swelling
  • Chronic Redness
  • Swelling
  • Corneal Opacity
  • Cloudiness

Before undergoing a cornea transplant surgery, several diagnostic tests and evaluations are performed to assess the eye's condition and determine the patient's fitness for surgery. These may include:

  • Comprehensive Eye Examination
  • Corneal Topography(This test measures the curvature and shape of the cornea to identify irregularities or abnormalities that may require surgical intervention.)
  • Pachymetry (This test is performed to check the thickness of the cornea.)
  • Endothelial Cell Count
  • Refraction Test(It determines the degree of refractive error (nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism) in the eyes)
  • Evaluation of Eye Health: This includes assessment for any underlying eye conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, or retinal diseases that may affect surgical outcomes.

Immediately after a cornea transplant, patients may experience pain, which can be relieved with medications such as Tylenol. The eye will be patched until the epithelium heals completely. The surgeon will check the eye the day after surgery and advise whether the patch should be worn longer.

Patients should administer eye drops as prescribed and avoid strenuous activities for a few weeks. Wearing glasses as recommended by the surgeon is essential. Watching television does not typically cause discomfort, but if any discomfort or pain occurs, patients should contact their surgeon as soon as possible.

Patient from Ghana underwent Cornea Transplantation in India
Gladys Appiah

Ghana

Patient Story: Patient from Ghana underwent Cornea Transplantation in India Read Full Story

Master Aaron Larhubarbe
Master Aaron Larhubarbe

Mauritius

Master Aaron Larhubarbe Underwent Cornea Transplant in Apollo Hospital, Hyderabad, India Read Full Story

Abdool Ubayd
Abdool Ubayd

Mauritius

Mr. Ubayd Underwent Cornea Transplant Surgery in Medical Park Florya Hospital, Turkey Read Full Story

Mr. Yaya Affi
Mr. Yaya Affi

India

Mr. Yaya Affi Underwent Cornea Transplant at Aakash Healthcare, Dwarka, New Delhi, India Read Full Story

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Best Cornea Transplant Hospitals

Bangkok Hospital

Bangkok Hospital

Bangkok, Thailand

One of the most renowned and honoured hospital networks in Asia- Pacific is Bangkok Dusit Medical Se...more

FACILITIES

Phone in Room

Foreign Currency Exchange

Rehabilitation

Free Wifi

Joint Commission International, or JCI
Mount Elizabeth Hospital

Mount Elizabeth Hospital

Singapore, Singapore

Mount Elizabeth Hospital is a multispecialty healthcare facility operated by Parkway Health. The hos...more

FACILITIES

phone in the room SIM

Free Wifi

Translator

Health Insurance Coordination

Joint Commission International, or JCI

Consult Online with World’s Best Cornea Transplant

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Dr. Prashaant Chaudhry
Dr. Prashaant Chaudhry

Ophthalmologist

Delhi, India

15 of experience

USD  32 for video consultation

Dr. Jonathan Dowler
Dr. Jonathan Dowler

Ophthalmic Surgeon

London, United Kingdom

42 of experience

USD  645 for video consultation

Dr. Moin Mohamed
Dr. Moin Mohamed

Ophthalmic Surgeon

London, United Kingdom

34 of experience

USD  645 for video consultation

Dr. Rahila Zakir
Dr. Rahila Zakir

Ophthalmic and Vitreoretinal Surgeon

London, United Kingdom

35 of experience

USD  645 for video consultation

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How successful is a cornea transplant?

A: Nearly 89 percent of the patients with keratoconus are treated successfully, while 60 to 70 percent of the patients with scarring and 73 percent of the patients with Fuchs’ corneal dystrophy are treated successfully.

Q: What is the cost of cornea replacement surgery?

A: The cornea transplant cost varies from one country to the other. Additionally, it also depends on the hospital that you are planning to undergo treatment at. Some of the other factors that influence the corneal transplant cost include the experience of the surgeon, the type of corneal transplant, and the approach used for corneal replacement surgery.

Q: How safe is a cornea replacement?

A: Cornea transplant or replacement is a safe procedure. But it is still associated with a small risk of complications such as a problem with the stitches and the rejection of the graft used.

Q: Can you see immediately after a corneal transplant?

A: The improvement in eyesight takes place over a period of time. Some patients may take a few months before a stability in vision is experienced.

Q: Can corneal transplant cure blindness?

A: Corneal transplant is only helpful in the treatment of blindness and vision loss arising out of damage or injury to the cornea.

Explore Top Hospitals Worldwide for Cornea Transplant

Explore Top Hospitals for Cornea Transplant

Author

Nimra Haseeb

MSc Biochemistry

4 Years of Experience

Miss Nimra Haseeb is a medical researcher and a scientific content writer. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology and a Master’s in Biochemistry from Integral University, Lucknow.With strong experience in healthcare research, she specializes in secondary research, clinical data analysis, and evidence-based medical writing. Her work focuses on transforming complex scientific and medical information into clear, accurate, and reliable healthcare content for patients and healthcare audiences. She is also experienced in interpreting medical studies and healthcare trends to deliver well-researched and informative content that supports better health awareness and decision-making.. View More