Corneal transplants
What is a Corneal transplant?
A corneal transplant is a surgical procedure in which diseased, damaged, or scarred corneal tissue is replaced with healthy donor tissue.
When the cornea becomes cloudy or misshapen due to conditions such as advanced keratoconus, scarring from infection, or degeneration of the inner cell layer, a transplant may be recommended to restore clarity and improve vision.
What are the symptoms?
People who may be considered for a corneal transplant typically experience significant and often progressive visual impairment that cannot be adequately corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or other treatments. Symptoms may include severely blurred or distorted vision, glare, and sensitivity to light.
Some people experience persistent pain or discomfort caused by a damaged or swollen cornea. The specific symptoms depend on the underlying condition; for example, those with advanced keratoconus may struggle with specialist contact lenses, whilst those with corneal scarring or endothelial dysfunction may notice a gradual clouding or haziness of their vision.
What are the treatment options?
Corneal transplantation can be performed in different ways depending on which layer of the cornea is affected. A full-thickness transplant (penetrating keratoplasty) replaces the entire cornea and is used when multiple layers are damaged.
A full-thickness transplant (penetrating keratoplasty) replaces the entire cornea and is used when multiple layers are damaged. Partial-thickness procedures are preferred when only specific layers are affected.
What are the risks?
As with any surgery, corneal transplantation carries some risks. The most significant is graft rejection, where your immune system recognises the donor tissue as foreign and begins to attack it. Rejection can often be treated successfully if caught early, which is why it is essential to attend all follow-up appointments and report any sudden changes in vision, redness, or discomfort promptly.
Other possible complications include infection, increased eye pressure (glaucoma), astigmatism requiring glasses or contact lenses, and, in rare cases, graft failure. Your surgeon will discuss all risks in detail before your procedure and explain the warning signs to look out for.
What can I expect following treatment?
After a corneal transplant, your eye will be covered with a pad or shield for protection, and you will be prescribed antibiotic and steroid eye drops to help prevent infection and rejection. Your vision is unlikely to be clear immediately; it can take many months — and sometimes over a year — for vision to fully stabilise, particularly following a full-thickness transplant. Sutures may remain in place for a year or more in some cases.
You will attend regular outpatient appointments to monitor healing, check eye pressure, and assess your vision. Many patients experience a meaningful improvement in their sight, though the degree of recovery varies depending on the underlying condition.
Our Treatments and Price List
| New patient consultation | £250-£280 |
| Follow up appointment | £175-£220 |
| Corneal lesion excision | £1100-£1600 |
If you would like to discuss Ophthalmology treatments, please get in touch with a member of our team
