Corneal transplants are performed by ophthalmic surgeons who specialise in the treatment of diseases affecting the cornea, the front window of the eye.
Need answers quickly?
Our Rapid Diagnostics Centre offers fast access to advanced imaging, specialist clinics and on-site testing - helping you get clarity in days, not weeks. Plus, our 24/7 private GP service is here whenever you need urgent advice.
Our charitable purpose
As a charitable hospital, we reinvest in exceptional care, research and innovation - helping us improve healthcare for patients here and far beyond our walls.
Everything you need for your visit
Your Patient Hub brings together everything you need to prepare for your visit, understand your care and know what to expect throughout your stay.
Easy access
Call us today to book an appointment
Fast referral
Get seen and treated within 14 days
What is it for?
Treatment of diseases affecting the cornea
Visit our Dedicated Eye Centre Website
Corneal transplants consultation at The London Clinic
Damage to the cornea that is so severe that a corneal transplant is required to restore vision can occur for several reasons:
Corneal infections due to bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites can cause scars on the cornea that distort your vision.
If this scarring is extensive and severe, a corneal transplant may be the only way to restore your sight.
Age-related conditions such as Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy can develop. This usually develops after the age of 50 and is caused by degeneration of the cells that support the cornea.
As they deteriorate, the cornea swells and can blister, making the eyes red and painful.
Inherited conditions collectively known as corneal dystrophies can gradually cause cloudy deposits to accumulate in the normally clear cornea.
As these become denser, eyesight can deteriorate.
What are the different types of corneal transplant available?
The London Clinic offers several different types of corneal transplantation techniques including all methods that involve lamellar or partial thickness keratoplasty.
The lamellar techniques have the added advantage of faster visual recovery and a much lower risk of rejection.
The corneal transplant method used will depend on the underlying disease process:
- Full thickness corneal transplant (penetrating keratoplasty): in this procedure, the entire cornea is replaced and this is done in cases where the disease process has involved the full thickness of the cornea.
- Anterior lamellar keratoplasty: in this procedure, only the top layers of the cornea are replaced leaving behind unaffected healthy cornea. We prefer to use this technique in patients who have superficial corneal scarring or conditions such as keratoconus.
- Posterior lamellar/endothelial keratoplasty: in this procedure, only the back layer of the cornea is replaced and this is typically performed in patients with Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy who have damage to the back corneal layer only.
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?
Trusted for over 90 years, The London Clinic is an independent charitable hospital that reinvests into care, research, and support for those who can’t easily access private treatment.
The UK’s largest independent hospital
More patients choose The London Clinic than any other.
Top-rated by real patients
4.86/5 from over 1,600 reviews on Doctify and over 4.5 on Google.
Full intensive care on-site
World-class 13-bed ICU for expert support if your care becomes complex.
Investing in clinical excellence
Backed by Northwestern, we equip our teams with cutting-edge medical equipment.
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.