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.
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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.
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
We operate as teams of experts with world-class resources dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of medical care. You are surrounded by the latest treatments and advice with everything you need to get back to your best health.
Personal care, every time
Exceptional patient care is a way of life for us. Our nurses, clinicians and support teams are dedicated to the care of a very small number of patients, so have more time for you. They’ll be with you every step of the way, tailoring your care around you and giving the peace-of-mind that comes with knowing you’re in the best hands.
Effortlessly simple
We work together as one to guide you through each step of your experience, with complexities unravelled and answers readily to hand. Your personal treatment plan will be laid out for you, with all the details taken care of so you can focus on you.
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.
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 finance options available with Chrysalis