Treatment

Corneal transplants

Corneal transplants are performed by ophthalmic surgeons who specialise in the treatment of diseases affecting the cornea, the front window of the eye.

 

Call us 020 8108 9633

Quick facts

Purple-bicycle

Easy access

Call us today to book an appointment

Target-icon

Fast referral

Get seen and treated within 14 days

Eye centre purple icon

What is it for?

Treatment of diseases affecting the cornea

Treatment overview

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.

View body location
Mid head image

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.

Why choose The London Clinic

Excellence in one place

The London Clinic, in collaboration with Northwestern Medicine, operate as teams of experts with world-class resources, dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of care. Surrounded by the latest treatments and advice, you’ll have everything you need to get back to your best health. Our patient rooms are designed for your comfort, while our catering team, in collaboration with expert dietitians, provide healthy, delicious meals to support your recovery.

Personal care, every time

Exceptional patient care is a way of life for us. Our teams will be with you every step of the way, tailoring your care to your specific needs and giving you the peace-of-mind that comes with knowing you’re in the best hands. To provide exceptional care, we keep our staff-to-patient ratio low, so our nurses, clinicians, therapists, and support teams can offer a personalised, quality experience. You’ll notice the difference.

Effortlessly simple

We work together as one to guide you through every step of your patient experience. From explaining your personal treatment plan to ensuring all details are taken care of, we make the process stress-free, so you can focus on your health. Whether it’s your first consultation or follow-up care, our teams are here to provide seamless support and the peace of mind you deserve

What's included in your package?

Choosing The London Clinic means your treatment plan will be laid out for you, with all the details taken care of so you can focus on you.

Your treatment package will include:

  • Enhanced pre-admission assessment
  • Your treatment with our complete care team at your fingertips
  • Personalised aftercare and follow-up

We want you to be in control of your health. That’s why we also offer optional services such as comprehensive recovery packages and extra touches for you to choose from during your stay with us. To help you manage the cost, we also offer a 0% finance option, allowing you to spread the payments for your treatment over 12 months with no added interest. Learn more about our finance options here.

How to pay

  • You can use private medical insurance (PMI) to access this treatment. We work with all major PMI providers in the UK and many internationally
  • You can pay for yourself (self-pay)
  • If you’re paying for yourself, we have 0% finance options available with Chrysalis. Find out more here.
     
Share

Get in touch

To find out more about arranging your self-pay healthcare with The London Clinic please contact us by phone or online: