Cornea Transplant: Cost, Success Rate, and Surgery in India

When it comes to your eyes - even the smallest concern needs immediate medical attention. 

The cornea is the clear tissue at the front of the eye that allows light to enter to help the eye see clearly. A damaged cornea makes it difficult to see. 

Thus, a cornea transplant is suggested. This is an important procedure needed to improve vision in patients battling vision complications.  

Cornea transplant is suggested when the eye’s cornea is damaged. Via the transplant a new healthy cornea tissue is replaced with the tissue from a deceased donor.

This then helps:

• Restore your vision
• Reduce the  pain in the affected eye
• Improve the appearance of a damaged or diseased cornea

Reasons for needing a cornea transplant surgery

A cornea transplant may be performed if:

• You're experiencing problems with eyesight caused by certain medical conditions
• Facing emergency situations such as severe eye infections or damage
• Keratoconus 
• Degenerative conditions
• In case of a development of a small hole in the cornea
• If you're having an infection in the cornea that does not respond positively to antibiotics
• If your cornea is scarred because of infection or any injury to the cornea

Types of Cornea Transplant Surgeries 

• Endothelial keratoplasty (EK)
• Penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) or Full thickness corneal transplant
• Descemet’s Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSEK) 
• Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK)
• The patient will be put under general or local anaesthesia for the surgery. Your doctor will be able to help you with choosing the right corneal transplant according to your situation. 

The process of cornea transplant in India.

The surgery is generally quick and non-risky. The Cornea transplant in India​ usually takes less than an hour. Most of the times, you are advised to return home the same day of the surgery. If your condition requires you to transplant the outer cornea, if that's the case, the new outer cornea is held in place with stitches that usually stay there for more than a whole year. 

On the other hand, Endothelial transplant does not require having stitches. Instead, an air bubble is used for a few days. Cornea transplant success rate in India is already high that makes it possible for people to get their vision back. 

Preparation before the cornea transplant surgery

Your ophthalmologist will speak to you about the cornea transplant surgery and the whole process. He/she will discuss the need for the transplant and the most suitable type for your condition. Once you have set your mind about going ahead with the procedure, a date will be chosen and a good donor cornea will be made ready accordingly. Do not forget to tell your doctor about all the medicines you're taking. They will inform you if you can continue taking those medicines immediately before or after the surgery or not. 

You shall be asked to take multiple physical exams and other tests to ensure that you are healthy and your body is good enough for the procedure. 

On the day of your cornea transplant, here are some things you need to be mindful about:

Medicines and eye drops will be given to you in order to help you relax.

• You will be put on anaesthesia so that you don't feel the pain.
• It will be your surgeon's call about how to transplant the healthy donor cornea based on your needs and conditions. 
• If the patient is suffering from cataract or other minor eye problems, the surgeon might be able to treat it during the same surgery.

• • Don't rub your eyes for a few days.
  • Avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting.
  • Discontinue your work for 2-3 weeks at least. 
  • If you do manual labour, 3-4 months of rest is needed.
  • Avoid smoky or dusty places to avoid irritation.
  • Wear sunglasses
  • Do not indulge in contact sports or swimming until advised by a doctor.
  • Be careful while taking a bath and avoid getting water in your eye for a month, at least. 

Risks and complications attached to the surgery

Just like any other surgery, a cornea transplant has a list of risks attached to it. 

Some problems may be spotted during follow-up appointments with the doctor, and in other cases, problems are pretty obvious and are visible immediately after the surgery. 

In some rare cases, these issues can also be seen.

Rejection - a person's immune system might fail to recognise the donated cornea and start attacking it. It can be seen a few weeks after the transplant. 

• Other complications are:
• Astigmatism
• Glaucoma
• Uveitis
• Retinal detachment
• Wounds from surgery reopening 
• Internal infection

Cornea Transplant Cost

Depending on the type of transplant you choose, the cost can vary somewhere between 40k- to 1 lakh and 50 thousand rupees. Although, cornea transplant cost in India just covers the surgery itself, the donor cornea and immediate post-operative care. But, if you're coming to India from foreign countries, you need to add the cost of accommodation, travel and more. The cornea transplant success rate is high, so you don’t need to worry about it; just make sure that you’re choosing a renowned hospital that is known to provide great results to the patients coming for cornea transplants. 

Factors that influence the cost of cornea transplant in India​

When it comes to your eye, the care provided shall be of the highest value. The cost of a cornea transplant cost in India is not just the surgery, but it consists of various other factors such as the fees that the surgeon charges, the charges of the hospital stay, the post-operative care given to the patient, the tests, and further it can be increased or decreased depending on the factors such as the region where the cornea transplant surgery takes place, the condition on the patient, doctor’s fees, anesthesia, and other medical staff costs, cost of medical supplies, etc. If you choose a very reputed hospital or doctor in a tier-1 city, it will be more expensive as compared to the ones in small cities.