At The London Clinic Eye Centre, our team of world-class eye specialists is dedicated to providing the highest standards of care for patients requiring a corneal transplant. With our advanced diagnostic tools and cutting-edge therapies, we deliver a best-in-class service designed to achieve the best possible outcomes.
Corneal transplants
Also known as: keratoplasty, corneal graft
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What is it for?
Treating a damaged cornea by transplanting donor corneal tissue
What is a corneal transplant?
Your cornea is the transparent, dome-shaped surface of your eye. Different disease processes can cause irreversible changes within the cornea and your ophthalmologist may recommend a corneal transplant.
A corneal transplant is a surgical procedure in which your damaged cornea is removed and replaced with corneal tissue from a donor. The procedure may restore your vision, reduce pain and improve the appearance of your eye if the damage to your cornea is particularly noticeable.
What does a corneal transplant treat?
Your eye care provider may suggest a corneal transplant if you have:
- Fuchs’ dystrophy – a genetic condition that can cause fluid to build up in the cornea
- Keratoconus – a cornea that bulges outward
- Corneal ulcer – an open wound on your cornea resulting from an eye infection
- Corneal scarring – caused by an infection or injury
- Corneal damage – due to a previous eye surgery
- Bullous keratopathy – a swelling of the cornea that looks like a blister
Do I need a corneal transplant?
Your doctor may recommend a corneal transplant if your cornea is damaged to a point where your vision is severely affected, and this cannot be improved by glasses or contact lenses.
Alternatively, a corneal transplant may be recommended if you’re experiencing pain and discomfort that isn’t responding to treatment and is impacting your quality of life.
Corneal transplant risks
Overall, a corneal transplant is a relatively safe procedure. However, there is a risk that your body may reject the donor cornea. If rejection occurs, it means that your immune system has identified the cornea as foreign and is trying to fight it off.Certain conditions make this more likely, such as severe dry eye, blood vessels growing in your cornea, or an eye infection. If this is the case, your surgeon may advise against a corneal transplant or will discuss the risks and benefits with you.Other complications of corneal transplant surgery include:
- An infection in your cornea or eye
- Bleeding
- Glaucoma (a build-up of pressure inside your eye)
- Fluid leaking from your cornea
- Retinal detachment or swelling
- Problems with your visual acuity (the sharpness of your vision)
- Corneal transplant detachment
Your surgeon will discuss any possible risks with you before your procedure.
What to expect during and after corneal transplants
Step 1 Preparing for your corneal transplant
Your surgeon will review any medications or supplements you are taking and advise if any need to be stopped before your procedure. Additionally, you may be instructed to avoid eating or drinking for about 12 hours prior to surgery. Your surgeon will provide specific guidelines to ensure you’re fully prepared.
Step 2 During corneal transplant surgery
A corneal transplant can be done under local anaesthesia, where you’ll be awake but the area will be numbed, or under general anaesthesia, where you’ll be asleep. During the procedure, your surgeon will place a device to keep your eye open and will perform the transplant according to your specific needs. For patients with Fuchs’ dystrophy, endothelial keratoplasty may be used to replace the back layer of the cornea. For those with keratoconus or scarring in the upper corneal layers, anterior lamellar keratoplasty replaces the outer layer. If all layers of the cornea are affected, penetrating keratoplasty may be recommended to replace the entire cornea. The surgery typically takes less than two hours to complete.
Step 3 Recovery and aftercare
After surgery, your ophthalmologist will place a patch over your eye. Once you’ve recovered from anaesthesia, you’ll be able to go home. You’ll receive eye drops and medications to prevent infection, reduce inflammation, and manage pain. Strenuous activities should be avoided during recovery, and you’ll attend follow-up appointments for progress checks and stitch removal. You may return to work in a few days if it is a sedentary job, but full vision may take 3-12 months to restore. Arrange transportation for the day of surgery and follow-up appointments, as you won’t be able to drive immediately.
Our experts
We offer Fixed Price Packages
Where possible, we’ll provide a fixed-price package for your hospital care. This covers your hospital stay, nursing, and use of our facilities, giving you a clear guide to what those costs will be.
- Pre-op assessment
- Hospital stay, nursing care and meals
- Tests, scans and physio during your stay
- Take-home medication (up to 5 days)
- Post-op follow-up appointments
- Standard equipment or prosthesis (if needed)
- Unplanned extended stay or ITU (if clinically required)
- Initial consultation and any tests done during it
- Consultant and anaesthetist fees (quoted separately)
- Physio or therapy before or after your stay
- Diagnostics before admission (unless agreed in your plan)
- Specialist medication beyond 5 days
- Ambulance transport or bespoke prosthetics
Your consultant’s fees are quoted separately and shared directly by their office after your consultation. These professional fees cover the time, expertise, and care provided by your consultant before, during, and after your treatment. See our full terms and conditions
Why choose The London Clinic Eye Centre?
The London Clinic Eye Centre provides the highest standards of eye care. Our team of expert ophthalmologists work in partnership with world leaders and experts from all aspects of medicine, combining state-of-the-art diagnostics with cutting-edge therapies to deliver a best-in-class service to a global audience.
Unparalleled eye expertise
Our ophthalmologists bring global experience across the full range of eye conditions, supported by advanced imaging and The London Clinic’s world-class facilities.
With you at every step
From your first appointment to follow-up, our clinicians, nurses and support teams provide coordinated, bespoke care so you always feel confident and supported.
Personal care, every time
We tailor your care around your individual needs, staying with you throughout your journey and ensuring you feel listened to and supported.
Speak to our team
Whether you’re seeking a diagnosis, treatment or a specialist opinion, our Eye Centre team is here to help. Find out more about how we can support your eye health.
0% Finance Options
We’ve teamed up with Chrysalis to offer you funding options that allow you to spread the cost of your treatment.
If you choose to pay for your treatment at The London Clinic over 12 months, you can make use of a great 0% interest option and pay nothing extra. Or you can choose to pay over two to five years at 14.9% APR.
Trustees of the London Clinic Ltd trading as The London Clinic is an Appointed Representative of Chrysalis Finance Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The London Clinic is a credit broker, not a lender. The provider of a payment scheme which is not offered through or by Chrysalis Finance Limited may not be so authorised and regulated. Cancer treatments or transplants aren’t covered by finance packages. Finance options are only available for UK patients.