Corneal Transplant
A corneal transplant (keratoplasty) replaces a damaged, scarred or clouded cornea — the clear front window of the eye — with healthy donor tissue to restore clear vision. Modern techniques can replace only the affected layer of the cornea rather than its full thickness, which can mean faster recovery and a lower risk of rejection for suitable patients.
Medically reviewed by the Florence Healthcare medical team · Last reviewed June 2026
Overview
The cornea must be clear for light to focus properly. Disease, infection, injury or conditions such as keratoconus (in which the cornea thins and bulges) can scar or distort it, blurring vision in ways glasses cannot correct. A corneal transplant replaces the diseased tissue with a healthy donor cornea. In a full-thickness transplant (penetrating keratoplasty), the entire central cornea is replaced; in modern partial-thickness (lamellar) transplants, only the affected front or back layer is replaced.
Partial-thickness techniques — replacing just the inner endothelial layer (DSEK/DMEK) or the front layers (DALK) — preserve healthy parts of the patient's own cornea. This can mean a quicker visual recovery, a stronger eye and a lower risk of the body rejecting the graft. The right technique depends on which layer of the cornea is diseased, which the ophthalmologist determines at assessment.
Healing is gradual and follow-up is important, including drops to prevent rejection. International patients receive a coordinator who arranges the procedure and follow-up, and our specialists can review your reports remotely first to advise whether a transplant — and which type — is appropriate.
Who is a candidate?
- People with a cornea scarred or clouded by disease, infection or injury
- Patients with keratoconus that can no longer be managed with contact lenses
- Those with corneal swelling from a failing inner (endothelial) layer
- People whose vision cannot be corrected with glasses or lenses because the cornea is the problem
- Patients seeking a second opinion on whether a corneal transplant is needed and which technique suits them
What happens
- 1
Assessment
A detailed eye examination and corneal imaging identify which layer of the cornea is diseased and whether a full- or partial-thickness transplant is most suitable.
- 2
Preparation
Healthy donor tissue is prepared, and you are prepared for local or general anesthesia. Your ophthalmologist explains the technique and the gradual recovery and aftercare.
- 3
The procedure
The surgeon removes the diseased cornea, or just its affected layer, and places the donor tissue, securing it with fine sutures or, for some inner-layer transplants, an air or gas bubble.
- 4
Early recovery
Most patients go home the same day or after one night, using eye drops and protecting the eye. Vision is blurred at first and improves gradually as the graft settles.
- 5
Long-term follow-up
Follow-up tracks healing and graft health, with anti-rejection drops used for a period. International patients receive an aftercare plan and can be supported remotely after returning home.
Benefits
- Restores clear vision lost to a scarred, clouded or diseased cornea
- Partial-thickness techniques can mean faster recovery and a stronger eye
- Replacing only the affected layer can lower the risk of graft rejection
- Can treat conditions, such as advanced keratoconus, that glasses cannot
- The technique is matched to which layer of your cornea is diseased
Risks & considerations
- Rejection of the donor tissue, which is why anti-rejection drops and follow-up are important
- A gradual recovery — vision can take weeks to many months to settle, especially full-thickness grafts
- Astigmatism or a residual prescription that may still need glasses or lenses
- Infection or raised eye pressure, which are monitored for and treated
- Occasionally, the need for further surgery or a repeat graft over time
Conditions this treats
Where it is performed
This procedure is delivered by our Eye Diseases & Laser Center.
Learn more before you decide
Provider-reviewed guides on the related conditions, symptoms and tests in our Health Library.
Corneal Transplant — frequently asked questions
It treats a cornea that is scarred, clouded or distorted by disease, infection, injury or conditions such as keratoconus, replacing the affected tissue with a healthy donor cornea to restore clear vision.
Not always. Modern partial-thickness techniques replace only the diseased front or back layer of the cornea, preserving your healthy tissue, which can mean a quicker recovery and lower rejection risk. The right approach depends on which layer is affected.
Recovery is gradual. Vision is blurred at first and improves over weeks to several months as the graft settles — faster with partial-thickness techniques than with a full-thickness transplant. Your ophthalmologist gives you a personalized timeline.
Yes. Share your reports and corneal imaging and our specialists provide an independent opinion on whether a transplant is needed and which technique suits you, before you commit to travel.
Surgery is often a day case or one night, but plan for follow-up checks while the eye begins to heal — your coordinator confirms how long to stay. We provide a transparent, itemized estimate after reviewing your case rather than a fixed online price.
Considering corneal transplant?
Share your reports for a medical second opinion and a transparent, itemized cost estimate — usually within 48 hours.