Corneal Transplant Surgery India

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Corneal Transplant Surgery India

  • Category

    Cancer

  • Published By

    GetWellGo Team

  • Updated on

    31-Mar-2025

Corneal Transplant Surgery India

A cornea transplant surgery is also known as keratoplasty is a surgical process to replace a specific part of your cornea with corneal tissue from a particular donor. Cornea of an eye is the transparent, dome-shaped surface of your eye that accounts for a large part of your eye's focusing power. A cornea transplant can restore the lost vision, minimise pain and enhance appearance of a destructed diseased cornea. The light rays which pass through a diseased or distorted cornea can get damaged and change your vision.

A corneal transplant corrects several eye problems like scarring of cornea because of any infection or accidental injury. Corneal ulcers or what commonly known sores occurs as an outcome of infection which is called as medical state of keratoconus which makes your corneal expelled or bulges outside. Inherited eye diseases called as Fuchs' dystrophy and others troubles caused by premature eye surgery or an operation.

Factors Affecting Corneal Transplantation Cost India​

The corneal transplantation cost in India varies depending on several factors, including:

  • Type of Corneal Transplant
  • Hospital & Location
  • Surgeon’s Expertise
  • Donor Cornea Availability
  • Preoperative and Postoperative Care
  • Technology Used
  • Hospital Stay and Additional Procedures

Best Hospitals for Corneal Transplant in India​

  • Artemis Hospital, Gurgaon
  • Medanta The Medicity, Gurgaon
  • Max Hospital, Saket
  • BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital, New Delhi

Corneal Transplant Success Rate India​

The success rate of the graft depends with the type of transplant adopted, the general health of patients, and the status of the corneal donor. Generally:

Penetrating Keratoplasty (full-thickness transplant): The chance of success ranges from 70-90% for the ability to see to normal or near normal with no other diseases affecting eyes.

Endothelial Keratoplasty (partial-thickness transplant): This newer technique generally has higher success rates, usually between 90 and 95% for patients with endothelial diseases: Fuchs’ dystrophy, for instance.

Top Eye Surgeons for Corneal Transplant India​

  • Dr. Sameer Kaushal
  • Dr. Sheetal Bakshi
  • Dr. Rituraj Baruah
  • Dr. Vivek Garg

Affordable Corneal Transplant India​

Corneal transplantation in India is not only affordable and accessible but also provides quality care at a relatively low cost compared to most Western nations. The procedure's price is determined by the type of transplant, the location of the hospital, and the expertise of the surgeon. 

Corneal Grafting Procedure India​

Corneal grafting, or corneal transplantation or keratoplasty, is a surgical process in which a diseased or damaged cornea is replaced with a donor cornea. In India, this surgery is easily accessible at different government, private, and charitable hospitals.

Types of Corneal Transplantation in India

  • Penetrating Keratoplasty (PKP) – Complete-thickness corneal transplant.
  • Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty (DALK) – Partial-thickness transplant for keratoconus or corneal scars.
  • Descemet's Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSAEK) –Rephrases the corneal endothelium to treat diseases like Fuchs' dystrophy.
  • Descemet's Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK) – A more contemporary, thinner transplant of endothelial tissue.

Surgical Procedure

Conducted using local or general anaesthesia.

The diseased cornea is removed and a donor cornea takes its place.

Sutures or laser technology secure the graft.

Keratoplasty Surgery India​

  • Penetrating Keratoplasty (PK): This older full-thickness transplant is used to replace all layers of the cornea with donor tissue. It is frequently used for widespread corneal destruction.
  • Endothelial Keratoplasty (EK): A newer method in which only the innermost corneal layer, the endothelium, is replaced. Variations are:
  • Descemet's Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSAEK): Replaces the endothelium with a thin layer of supporting tissue.
  • Descemet's Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK): Refers to the transplantation of just the endothelium and its membrane, providing faster recovery and improved visual results.​
  • Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty (DALK): Aims at the replacement of the anterior layers of the cornea without damaging the endothelium, appropriate for conditions such as keratoconus.

Corneal Transplant Recovery Time India​

Recovery duration of a corneal transplant (keratoplasty) in India is variable based on the type of transplant done and personal healing tendencies.

Recovery Timeline

Immediate Post-Surgery (First Few Days to Weeks)

  • Eye soreness, redness, and blurring are normal.
  • Eye shield for protection and eye drops as directed by the doctor.

First 3 to 6 Months

  • Vision improvement starts gradually as healing takes place.
  • Stitches will be readjusted or taken out (in the case of full-thickness transplants).

6 to 12 Months

Vision stabilizes with time, but ultimate improvement can take up to a year.

Corneal Transplant Donor Requirements India​

In India, corneas for transplantation are obtained mainly from cadaveric donors through eye donation schemes. Donor eligibility is governed by eye banks and hospitals under the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act (THOTA), 1994.

Eligibility Criteria for Corneal Donors

  • Age: Typically 1 to 75 years (a few eye banks take patients up to age 85 years).
  • Medical Condition: The donor should not have infections or systemic diseases affecting the cornea.
  • Time of Donation: The cornea should be harvested within 6 to 8 hours of death.
  • Consent: Consent of the family is needed if the donor has not pre-registered for eye donation.

Corneal Transplant Surgery Risks India​

Most of the corneal transplant surgeries are successful, only few involve risks of some complications like irritation, discharge of fluid etc.

  • Graft rejection for entire life period, separation or dislocation of lamellar transplants and basic graft failure.
  • There is also a chance of infection. Since the cornea contains no blood vessels and generally acquires its nutrients from the aqueous humor and it recovers much more slowly. This risk of infection is particularly reduced by antibiotic prophylaxis and usage of antibiotic eye drops.
  • Graft failure can happen at any time after the cornea has been transplanted, even after years later. It generally occurs due to new injury or illness. Treatment can be certain medications or surgical treatments, relying on the critical state of a particular person.
  • Glaucoma which leads to increased pressure in the eye is also one of the side effects of corneal transplant surgery.
  • Leakage a fluid from cornea is also one of the complications related with corneal transplant surgery which can cause problems for patients.
  • Extreme sharpness of vision by irregular shape of cornea is another risk imbibed in corneal transplant surgery.

Corneal Transplant Waiting Time India​

The waiting period for a corneal transplant in India is quite different in various regions and medical facilities, mainly because of the difference between the high demand for donor corneas and their scarcity.​

Current Scenario in India

Demand vs. Supply: India needs around 100,000 corneal transplants every year to meet the need for the burden of corneal blindness. Yet just around 48,000 corneas are procured every year, resulting in a huge pileup of patients waiting for surgery.

Why Choose GetWellGo for Corneal Transplant Surgery?

GetWellGo is regarded as a leading supplier of healthcare services. We help our foreign clients choose the best treatment locations that suit their needs both financially and medically.

We offer:

  • Complete transparency
  • Fair costs.
  • 24 hour availability.
  • Medical E-visas
  • Online consultation from recognized Indian experts.
  • Assistance in selecting India's top hospitals for corneal transplant surgery.
  • Expert ophthalmologist with a strong track record of success
  • Assistance during and after the course of treatment.
  • Language Support
  • Travel and Accommodation Services
  • Case manager assigned to every patient to provide seamless support in and out of the hospital like appointment booking
  • Local SIM Cards
  • Currency Exchange
  • Arranging Patient’s local food

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