A cornea transplant (also called keratoplasty) is a surgical procedure where a damaged or diseased cornea is replaced with healthy donor corneal tissue. The cornea is the transparent, dome-shaped surface at the front of the eye that helps focus light for clear vision. It is one of the most successful transplant surgeries in medicine. Unlike an eye transplant, which is not possible, only the cornea can be transplanted.
This surgery is recommended when the cornea becomes scarred, swollen, thinned, or irregular in shape due to conditions like keratoconus, corneal infections, injuries, or corneal dystrophies.
There are different types of corneal transplants depending on how much of the cornea is replaced:
| Feature | Corneal Transplant | Eye Transplant |
| Definition | Replacement of the clear, front layer of the eye (cornea) with donor tissue | Replacing the entire eye with another eye |
| Possibility | Common, safe, and widely performed surgery | Not possible with current medical science |
| Reason for Surgery | Treats corneal diseases (e.g., keratoconus, scars, swelling, infections) | Cannot be done – optic nerve and brain connections make it impossible |
| Success Rate | High success rate with improved vision in most patients | No successful cases reported |
| Alternative Name | Keratoplasty | Not applicable |
Depending on the layer of the cornea being replaced, keratoplasty types include:
A cornea transplant surgery is recommended when the cornea is permanently damaged and vision cannot be improved with glasses, lenses, or medication. Common conditions include:
Donor corneas come from eye donation. When a person pledges to donate eyes, the eye bank team retrieves the corneas after death. These tissues are stored and distributed for corneal transplantation.
Artificial corneas are under research but not widely used in clinical practice yet.
Many insurance plans cover cornea transplantation, especially if vision loss is significant. Eye Solutions also offers customized packages for affordability.
While generally safe, cornea transplantation has some risks:
If these occur, consult your cornea specialist in Mumbai immediately. Early treatment can save the graft.
The cornea transplant success rate is high – over 90% in keratoconus and 70–80% in complex cases.
MBBS, MS, DNB, FICO, ICO Cornea, FAEH
Cornea Specialist
Anterior Segment
To restore vision when the cornea is scarred, swollen, or severely damaged.
No. The surgery is done under anesthesia. Mild discomfort may occur during recovery but is manageable with medications.
Yes, it can be combined with cataract or glaucoma surgery if needed.
Success rate is over 90% in keratoconus and good in most other cases, depending on the underlying condition.
₹90,000 – ₹1,60,000 depending on type and complexity.
Donor corneas are provided by eye banks, often with nominal processing charges included in the surgery package.
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